UNITY....

Psa. 133:1 ¶ Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity! Psa. 133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,Running down on the beard,The beard of Aaron,Running down on the edge of his garments. Psa. 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon,Descending upon the mountains of Zion;For there the LORD commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. Unity! A simple look through the dictionary and the word unity becomes a very important word. It means, ‘a state of being one; oneness, or a whole or totality as combining all parts into one, or the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole.’I think the world in which we live could use a little more “good and pleasant.” In the midst of a society that is bombing itself to pieces (both in the middle east and Missouri) maybe unity has come of age. It seems to me that we need some “anointing oil,” some fresh “dew” and a “blessing.” All three of these metaphors describe the results of unity. Unity with God and each other releases the very Presence of God into our lives.Only God’s Presence, only His “precious oil” can heal the wounds that have been sustained. Only His “Blessing” can restore all men to their rightful place as children of God.Yes, we pray don’t we?  Every flavor, every denomination, every church is praying! But prayer alone will never resolve the issues of this generation.Unity! David understood that conquering your enemy was not the end of the assignment, perhaps not even the goal. You can subdue your enemy and own the city, but if you don’t have “unity with brethren” there is an absence of “good and pleasant” or “healing oil” and “blessing.” And quite frankly “Life forevermore.”As Jesus was preparing to face the cross He prayed an amazing prayer. A prayer that for many generations has been over looked.

²²And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22–23 (NKJV)

It is obvious that the heart of Christ is to see the church united as one body of believers. Perhaps the greatest thing that the church could to in the midst of a world that is in trouble is to love each other. In lieu of being divided over differences perhaps we should be united over the very essentials of our faith.It is my heart felt conviction that the churches duty in this generation is to come together. Not in an institutional way but in a spiritual way. We can all agree that we are “saved by grace through faith alone.” We can all agree that it is His Spirit that now lives within us. We are “one body”!The lack of unity in the body of Christ must become a priority. Not a unity based on dogma or doctrine or denomination, but a unity of faith and mission. A unity that is the results of the “great commandment” (which I fear we are not so great at).If we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength ... and our neighbor as ourselves, then the issues that separate us would be overcome by the “unconditional Love” of God.According to Scripture, “Love never fails....” perhaps we simply fail to love.Lord I want to be a part of the answer of your prayer in my generation. So that Your Glory, your “precious oil” will result in the “blessing of God” being poured out on all people.  Amen.