Much has been heard recently in the news about our divided nation, as well as the short-lived call for our political parties to come together in unity. In a similar way, our families are often suffering from disunity, resulting in broken families.
That set me to wonder what Jesus had to say about the definition of the word “unity.”
In the Beatitudes, Jesus spoke about the way all people are blessed. For example, the gentle will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness will be satisfied. Those who are pure in heart will see God. Matt. 5.
The solution for unity must be in terms of honoring God and God’s values! Is that what we are doing as a nation or even as a family?
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus said: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”
That is a promise from God. I don’t think these words are necessarily a promise of material wealth or even health. But it is a promise that our basic needs, both material and spiritual, will be provided by God when our number one priority is our love of God and desiring to live in God’s righteousness. Only then will “all things will be provided to you.”
I also believe that passage tells us that when we put God absolutely first in our lives, then all things really will work out for our ultimate good. Romans 8:28.
Is there a solution to achieving unity? Jesus Himself gave us the solution in John 17. There, Jesus is speaking about the disciples of the world versus those who love and believe in God and His Son. He talks about this division, but also that He has come that His joy may be made full to you and me.
In the final farewell prayer of Jesus, He prays: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth”. John 17:17.
So believing scripture is the way to authentic truth, about which so many disagree.
Then Christ addresses the topic of unity and how it is achieved. He prays to the Father:
“22 The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.” John 17:22-23.
Does our nation want to be perfected in unity? Or does your family want to be perfected in unity? The answer is clear. Whether unity is obtainable is up to our free will to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” only then will unity and “all things be provided to you.”
Dr. Roger Holl is pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church. Sunday worship services are at 10:30 a.m. at the Sterling Senior Center.
