Month of Sundays: Unity

But I appeal to you, Brothers, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you profess, and not to allow divisions to exist among you, but to be united-of one mind and of one opinion. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Like many liberal churches, the Unity congregation found itself far too small for its 700-seat sanctuary. The neighboring elite school had made an offer to purchase the property, which would enable them to relocate to a smaller church. But it fell through when there weren’t enough votes in the congregation to approve the deal.

The Unity church couldn’t get enough unity to make a major decision!

When many people think of “unity,” they think of the “lowest common denominator” type: if we could all just “get along” or “get together” we’d be all right. But like the “Unity” congregation, that doesn’t always work according to plan.

Real Christian unity is a high calling. It involves people being first transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ, to become new people: “Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) That unity with God translates into unity with each other, as we both live and work together to live the life and do the work that God has for us.

The key to unity, therefore, is not that we first look at each other, but upward: to Jesus Christ. When we are focused on him and the life he has for us and the mission he has for us to do, it’s a lot easier to be one with each other.

I have given them the honor which thou has given me, that they may be one as we are one– I in union with them and thou with me–that so they may be perfected in their union, and thus the world may know that thou hast sent me as thy Messenger, and that thou has loved them as thou hast loved me. (John 17:22-23)