Unity

February 7, 2020

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” —Matthew 18:18-20 KJV

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” —Psalm 133:1-3 KJV

We Americans have a fascination with the myth of the rugged individualist; that sole person who against all odds achieves by himself what others have been unable to accomplish. We have an Abraham Lincoln whose single-minded determination to preserve the Union propelled him to become the Great Emancipator. John F. Kennedy’s vision for our country inspired us to send men to the moon years after his assassination. Ronald Reagan’s belief in our country reversed the myopic and defeatist malaise that had infected the previous administration, ultimately sealing the doom of the Soviet Empire. Today we have the Donald, who love him or hate him, has by the force of his will transformed the entire political landscape. There is enough reality in the power of a lone single-minded individual to accomplish miracles. What we tend to forget is the ability of these intensely focused individuals to surround themselves with a team that enables them to do what they do. Without a unified team around them, these people would merely be a flash in the pan, shooting stars that flame and burn out. Unity is at the heart of all accomplishment.

Recently I became involved in counseling a couple having difficulties with their eldest son. Early on it became apparent that although they both love him deeply and want what is best for him, they are not in agreement as to how to reach their goals. I fear that their deepest heartfelt prayers will remain unanswered until they resolve the disunity between themselves. Jesus’ words are significant. “Where two or three agree...it shall be done for them.” Disunity hinders our prayers. 

The psalm takes it a step further. “How good and pleasant it is...to dwell together in unity...for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.” This is no casual surrender, no abdication of one partner. Dwelling in unity is deeper than that. Such unity is hard won. But it is highly honored by God; through it he doesn’t add a blessing. He commands it. Sadly, even in Christian homes, the unity is often a mere surface coating, a veneer of accommodation that fails to meet the muster of God’s Word. It is possible only through deep prayer and commitment, through sacrifice and hard trial. But it yields the most delicious fruit, feeding the souls of all those residing in this circle of blessing.