THE ART OF UNITY
Stations of the Cross. I was the only white pastor who spoke that night. It was an honor and more than a privilege to have been invited, accepted, and embraced in relationship by these churches.
The message I spoke that day was entitled, “Pride Separates, Jesus Integrates.” Using Colossians 3:1–17, I explained that pride is what truly separates us all from God and also from lasting and meaningful relationships with others. Verses 13–17 tell us to bear with each other —endure through, go through life with, support, sustain, uphold each other. Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as God forgave you. You didn’t earn God’s forgive- ness; He offered it with no strings attached! We are to do the same for others. These are all instructions about getting along with each other in unity.
Most of us desire peace in the world and harmony between all people. But even though we talk about harmony in the world and getting along with each other, it seems that unity is more of an ideal than a reality. Let’s unpack this further.
The Culture of Me
What we have in society today is a “Culture-of-Me” mindset. You can see it all over the place. Whatever makes it more convenient for me will most likely get my attention. I don’t have to be the one to tell you that our culture is very disunified.
The word unity literally means “quality of one or condition of one.” Un ity is defined as oneness, sameness, or agreement. In John 13:34–35, Jesus said to his disciples, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
He also gave this command to his disciples and actually falls right in line with what I like to call the “True Lord’s Prayer” found in John 17:20–24,
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” This is what Jesus prayed over his disciples and also over us. (Note where Jesus said, “I am praying…also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” )