Sabbath Thought – Unity

It seems that within God’s church unity is the one thing that Satan attacks regularly and without interruption.  While we think we know what unity is, it still can be elusive. Perhaps one of the better-known verses on unity is found in Psalm 133:1 where we read, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

When we interact in a spirit of unity it does indeed provide a pleasant environment, but to simplify the question, what is unity?  The Hebrew word used for “unity” can also mean a unit, to be together or a union.  As we typically use the word unity in a modern context we generally mean to agree without disagreement.  In fact, we probably put such a fine line on its definition that we become sensitive to a lack of that agreement.  The Hebrew puts an emphasis on the translation ‘together’ as that is the overwhelming usage of the word in the Old Testament.

I believe God prefers to see us together even if we have disagreements rather than using points of difference or even contention to justify being divided.  Do you see that application in scripture?  In Matthew 18 where Christ outlines how to address conflict resolution there are several steps we are to take before we can write off the relationship.  After he addresses all of that in verses 15-17, He then reminds us to be in agreement (unity, verse 18) and then finishes His thought with saying that He will be with even two or three who are gathered in His name (unity).

We see in Proverbs 18:19 that “A brother offended is harder to win (back) than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.”  Unity can involve staying together so an offense doesn’t become so strong they are like iron bars.  How do we accomplish this unity?  Proverbs 17:9 shows us that we should seek love rather than “telling” on people.  We are to be slow to anger to prevent contention (Proverbs 15:18) and to have a soft answer in our conversations with each other rather than harsh words (Proverbs 15:1).

There are many more verses I could point out, put hopefully I have made my point.  I believe that God sometimes actually allows disagreements within His church to see if we will fulfill verses such as John 13:35 – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  To achieve unity we need to consider what we should be when contentions do arise rather than looking for a reason to condemn one another.

No matter how we might define unity, God seeks for us to have unity as He and Christ have.  God’s love is what is going to point us out to the world, it is what will bind us in spite of our differences and His love will in fact be what allows us to see past our weaknesses.

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

5 July, 2025