Psalm 133:1 proclaims How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
Amen! Certainly we all prefer unity, harmony, peace. Every Mom, every pastor, every Christian loves the times when the family, the church, the country lives in harmony. There is angst when conflict reigns instead. Pain. Anxiety. Even fear.
And an innate and intense desire to “right the ship” and get everyone back to getting together. Holding hands. Getting along. Sweet harmony of kumbaya.
It seems right and good to pursue unity. But we must observe some concerns and practice some cautions. Let’s consider what is unity? With whom are we to have it? And how do we get there?
First, let me say that we are to live at peace with all men, as much as it depends on us. (Romans 12:18). We should not be argumentative or contentious and yet ready to defend the faith we hold in Christ (2 Timothy 2:24, I Peter 3:15-17) We should be kind and gracious to all. Peaceful. Christ-honoring.
So that is our foundation.
But peace is not the same thing as unity. And unity for unity’s sake is not the goal.
The goal is Romans 15:5,6 - Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To be “united” means “in agreement, harmony”. Moving in the same direction with the same goal in mind. “Unity” in and of itself is not necessarily good. Joseph’s brothers were “united” in their desire to do him harm. The crowd was “unified” in their decision to stone Stephen. Plenty of “unity” examples for bad and not good. SO let’s not assume unity is our goal.
The goal is unity in truth - of the same mind, according to Christ Jesus. In order to fulfill God’s call for the pleasant dwelling together in unity, there must first of all be the Truth of the Gospel. While we may strive to live in peace with those who do not follow Christ, we can not and should not be unified with them.
When Jesus prayed for us in John 17, He asked the Lord to unify us. (v. 21 - that they may all be one, even as Thou, Father art in me, and I in Thee, that they may also be in Us) but this follows His request that the Lord sanctify us IN TRUTH - v. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Thy Word is truth. This makes it abundantly clear that there can not be unity without TRUTH.
And, contrary to popular opinion, Jesus warned us that TRUTH will be divisive. Luke 12:51 explains Do you suppose that i came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
Unity must be based on truth. And that very truth will divide us - those who believe and those who don’t.
Don’t be deceived. If we claim we want to just love people, and try to justify “unity” by overlooking our differences, we must realize that love must be based on truth. Truth means calling sin what it is. That will be divisive. Take heed of Galatians 1:10 - For am I seeking the favor or men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
While we are not to be contentious (and it surely is hard in the hostile atmosphere of today), we must NOT compromise TRUTH and pretend we are seeking unity. Departure from the truth of Scripture will divide us. And it should.
Unity without truth is not loving. It’s people pleasing. And that is self-serving. And destructive.