Get Excited about Unity

I went to a conference recently for my new job. I was reflecting on the experience and how, for those four hours , that diverse group of people from all over Houston and many nearby small towns, was united in the common goal of serving our clients well and meeting revenue corporate goals. No longer strangers, together we listened and talked and collaborated and clapped and laughed as we learned and celebrated and supported the cause. It was a beautiful thing.

I left there feeling excited and like I was part of a great team! That’s how conferences are supposed to work. I didn’t know any of these people or the person that spoke at the conference when I arrived. But through participating in the group activities and listening to the motivational information and sitting together at tables , we found that we had one thing in common: a desire to be good at our job preparing taxes. Underneath that, I suspect that most of us share certain aptitudes and strengths that made us choose this job. It takes a certain personality to enjoy both numbers and customer service .

This feeling of unity and commonality is powerful and can drive both good and evil depending on who is leading the group. It is the force behind both successful companies and cults, healthy families and terrorism. It is what deceives people into electing communist dictators. It’s what binds healthy churches together or destroys unhealthy ones.

Unfortunately, the word ‘unity‘ has been misused so much that many of react negatively when we hear it. And the word ‘common‘ feels too close to ‘communism‘ for some. I believe we need to redeem the virtues of unity and commonality. Jesus was a fan of unity and the early church ‘had all things in common’. Individualism and private property are not bad things, but without a healthy amount of unity and love for one another, they can lead to selfish ambition and greed.

A Divided Country

God created people to need each other and work together. After the Fall, this human need was corrupted like all the rest. Unfortunately, not all leaders work to create unity or to develop the common goals we all share. The divisions in the “United States” make our nation weak and vulnerable. Not that Americans have all agreed at any point in history, but the divide has gotten much worse in the past few years.

It shouldn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, White or Black, city or country people. We are one nation, under God, indivisible. We must be united in our desire to make America great for everyone. We must elect a president who cares about Americans.

But what America needs most is LOVE! And we believers have the great privilege of sharing the love of Jesus. This love will unite people when nothing else can. Love heals and inspires and motivates everyone to be the best they can be. Love shares and forgives and makes room. Love seeks the good of others. Love is God’s nature. America needs more love.

Discipleship is key

And who is responsible for talking about love? Not the president! Not the schools. Not the media. The church! The church is made up of all people who believe in the truth of the Bible and trust Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, for salvation. There are thousands of different church locations. Each one is made up of individuals who may or may not be believers, each at various points in the process of growing in faith. Jesus and the Apostles taught the importance of unity in the church. But a church doesn’t automatically become united in a common goal. Preachers, teachers, ministry leaders, volunteers, and members need the discipleship of godly, humble, mature leaders who can guide them through the normal human problems that arise and help them become more like Christ.

Do we expect drug addicts to rehabilitate each other ? No! We hire non-drug users to do that. Many of them are former users who have found freedom. In the same way, believers shouldn’t expect unbelievers to bring unity to the country because they don’t have that ability. This is the power of God through his church. Mature believers must disciple new believers.

Unity through the Words of Truth and Love

The church alone has the freedom to spread a message of unity and love without being bound by government regulations regarding speech and separation of church and state. Church leaders must use this power wisely. Political bias ,racism, favoritism, and critical theory have no place in church! Speak words of truth only. God is the judge . Teach people that they should judge themselves first . This is what Jesus taught.

The church must be intentional about avoiding unnecessarily divisive language. I am not saying preachers should not preach about sin. Everyone is a sinner and needs forgiveness through Jesus Christ. But the blame game does not glorify God. If your church as a critical spirit, it’s time for a change.

So let’s use every sermon and ministry opportunity to encourage each other to live in unity, righteousness, and joy, and bring back the excitement of working together towards the common goal of sharing the love of God. Let every Sunday be a motivational conference that leaves people feeling more loving and connected to their fellow humans, especially the unbelievers who need to hear about Jesus. God’s word is powerful! It heals and transforms lives. Then go out into the world and share your excitement. Don’t keep it to yourself.