LIVING IN UNITY

God says it is pleasant for people to live together in unity, that is, in harmony or agreement with one another.  How many of us make the effort to live in unity with family, friends, people in meetings, and others? 

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.  (Psalm 133:1-3 NIV)

The Bible uses the picture of a physical body to represent this unity.  When we surrender our will and our lives to the care of God, He brings us together with others to become one body, the body of Christ.  This body is meant to work in harmony just like a physical body.  Each part of a physical body is different, but every part is carefully placed by God to function for the good of the whole body.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV)

If, for whatever reason, a part of our physical body should not perform the function it was created for, or performs more than its purpose, the whole body suffers.  A physical body is healthy when each part is doing what it was created to do. In the body of Christ, God’s children are meant to live in harmony, and the blessings of God flow when each person is doing what God planned for that person to do.

Today, let’s consider our part in living in unity with other parts of the body of Christ.  Let’s avoid problems caused by not doing the things we ought to do, or by doing things that others are meant to do.  Let’s try to understand God’s purpose for us, even when He places us together with those with whom we seem to have nothing in common.  Let’s do everything we can to live in unity with others as we function in a way that is kind and considerate and will enhance the purpose of God in each of our lives. 

Prayer:  Loving God, Help me to live together in unity with others so that the many parts of the body of Christ function in a way that enables everyone to receive Your blessings. Amen