What Does The Bible Say About Unity?
The Bible is a source of wisdom about unity and offers numerous blessings for those who live in harmony and treat one another fairly. At its core, the Bible teaches us how to build community and foster understanding among different people.
An understanding of unity is best found in the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) This important message of Jesus is further emphasized by various other scriptures throughout the Bible.
The Philippians 2:2 exhorts us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” This reinforces the notion that we should look beyond our own interest when considering matters of unity.
The Bible also encourages us to “bear with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). This message of tolerance and understanding emphasizes the importance of unity and mutual respect for each other.
Throughout scripture, we are also warned about the consequences of disunity. Proverbs 6:16-19 states “six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
This warning highlights how destructive disunity can be, and how important it is to seek understanding and practice unity. The Bible is clearly an advocate of unity and seeks to foster a sense of community among members of God’s family.
The Benefits of Unity
Unity brings peace and joy to our lives, which is something the Bible encourages. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” This verse speaks to the beauty of everyone living in harmony and respect for one another.
Unity also creates a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. Galatians 3:28 says that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse speaks to the idea that we are all equal in Christ, and thus we should treat each other with respect and dignity.
Unity also brings strength. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This reminder imparts the idea that when we are united, we are stronger together, and this gives us an opportunity to become better people through connection and collaboration.
Unity also encourages kindness and grace. Ephesians 4:31-32 says “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This verse teaches us that we should treat people with love, compassion and grace, which helps bring about the peace, joy, and strength that is associated with unity.
Living in Unity
Living in unity requires each of us to give up some of our own desires and interests in order to respect the rights and feelings of others.
Romans 15:5 reminds us that “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.” This verse encourages us to live in harmony, even in difficult circumstances, and reminds us that God is always available to help us through our struggles.
It is also important to remember that we can still disagree without being disagreeable. 1 Peter 3:8 states that “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” This verse shows us that we can live in unity even when we have different opinions and beliefs.
The Bible also encourages us to show patience and understanding, even if we don’t always agree or understand. Romans 14:19 says “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” This verse reminds us that we should seek dialogue rather than hostility and work to find a common ground.
Standing Firm in Unity
When standing firm in unity, it is important to remember that our ultimate goal should be to glorify God. Philippians 1:27 says “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This verse reminds us that our behavior should reflect our faith and our unity should be aimed towards glorifying God.
The Bible also reminds us that unity is more than simply living in harmony; it is about having a shared understanding. Ephesians 4:3 states “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This verse imparts the idea that we should strive to have a deeper understanding of each other’s beliefs and values and work toward establishing a unified strong bond of peace.
Finally, to cultivate strong unity, the Bible encourages us to be rooted in love. Ephesians 3:17 reminds us that “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” This verse speaks to the power of love in unifying us and reminds us that our commitment to unity should start with the love of Jesus in our hearts.
Walking in Unity
Walking in unity is not always easy, but it is an important lesson that we can learn from the Bible. John 13:34-35 states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This verse encourages us to be an example of how Jesus loved us, and to love one another in the same way.
Unity is also about being humble and understanding that we all have our own individual needs and beliefs. Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” This verse encourages us to be mindful of how our words and actions may affect someone else. We should strive to treat everyone with dignity and respect and recognize that your opinion is not necessarily the only one that matters.
It is also important to remember that humility does not mean that we cannot stand our ground when we perceive a wrong to be committed. We can disagree without being disrespectful. Colossians 3:13-15 reminds us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and understanding in cultivating unity.
The Practice of Unity
Finally, the Bible teaches us that the practice of unity is not just something we should do, but something that we need to do. 1 Corinthians 12:25 states “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” This verse reminds us of the importance of caring for others and understanding that we are all interconnected and need each other to thrive.
The Bible also encourages us to be kind and gentle with one another. Colossians 3:12 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” This verse is a reminder to show love and kindness to everyone we encounter, even if we disagree with them.
In conclusion, the Bible offers profound insight into how we can practice unity and how essential it is to peace and joy in our lives and in our relationships. Living in unity is not always easy, but it is worth the effort. We can all strive to live according to the teachings of the Bible and by doing so, we can create a strong foundation of unity in our world.
