Unity

There are many words that can describe a group of people—corporation, college, team, church, government or family. Their successes can be attributed to words such as team work, dedication, faith, family, scruples and work ethic. But there is one word, which must be employed by any group, whether work–related, educational or competitive or it will eventually come crashing down in dismal failure. That word is unity.

Unity is a most important building block of any endeavor by a group of people, including a nation. Unless there is a common goal and purpose, success is just a dream that will never come to fruition or reality.

If the vast majority of colonists in the new world had not been unified by the same common goal and purpose—freedom—independence would not have been achieved at that time. Freedom was the word that captured the imagination of both men and women, and ignited a fire from within. Unity fanned these flames into a burning inferno that resulted in the birth of a nation.

True unity—singleness of mind and purpose—can create a bulwark of strength against all odds. But we must decide as free moral agents whether to unite for the right purpose or the wrong purpose. True unity for the right purpose is a most wonderful blessing from God: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa. 133:1).

The perfect example of true unity is displayed for all to see and follow by the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ wants us to unite as one, as His church: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (John 17:21–22). God even devotes one of His seven annual Sabbaths, the Day of Atonement, to picturing the time when all humanity will become perfectly at one with Him. Jesus and the Father want us all unified together in true unity with Them in one body, in one church without different branches each believing different doctrines— in one family. As Mr. Armstrong wrote, “God is a family.”

The apostle Paul echoed the same unity that Jesus taught, long after Christ had died and was resurrected: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Cor. 1:10). God’s family, His church, His body is to be unified in the faith “which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude :3). He accomplishes that through His Spirit, His law—which is a law of love—and His government from the top down.

The leadership of God’s true church has the responsibility to feed the flock and to aid them in striving to measure up to the stature and fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). They are to be in unity and speaking the same thing, teaching for doctrines the commandments of God, not man. The body of Christ is to become one unit in complete harmony with Jesus and the Father through His Holy Spirit.

From the overwhelming evidence of the Bible, we have to conclude that unity with God and His Son Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance. Unity is a must for us to enter the glorious Kingdom of God. The time is coming that we will be in complete harmony, oneness and perfect unity with God. But we must be in the process of becoming at one with God and each other now. Given the fact of our carnal nature and the attacks of Satan our adversary, it is not easy at times, but with the help of Christ we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). How much importance do you place on that five letter word—unity?