For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7 NKJV

What do you think of when you see the word ‘unity’? Do you think of people having the same goals or values? Division has become the norm. Is unity even possible?

What about God? Do God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit compete in importance? Why is unity important to God?

Division hurts the heart of God.

Sin broke the relationship with God that He desires for us to have with Him. The Lord wants reconciliation between Him and mankind. He made it possible through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross. We can be reunited with God to live daily with Him. We are freed from the eternal punishment that sin put in place.

God is Unity.

Three in One. The Heavenly Father; Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh (John 1:14); and the Holy Spirit. Three roles, but so unified in purpose that they are the same God. God cannot be divided.

Jesus told His disciples of His unity with the Father. He did not speak on His own authority. It was the Father in Jesus who did the works that Jesus did (John 14:7–
11). Jesus also promised the Holy Spirit would help us and come to live in Jesus’ followers (John 14:16–17; John 15:26).

Christ’s Unity with Believers.

Unity with Jesus was so important that Christ included it in His prayer for us in John, chapter seventeen.

“…I do not pray for these [disciples] alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me…” John 17:20–21 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Unity Among God’s Followers.

Imagine a place where the people are so unified in purpose that we all have God’s goals. We are to treat each other with love and unity.

…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:3–6 NKJV

How Can We Have Unity?

Let’s face it. We’re all fallen people. Feelings get hurt. Misunderstandings abound. God tells us to have unity, so it must be possible. How?

On our own, unity is impossible.

With God, nothing is impossible.

Here are some tips that help me:

• Pray for the other person. I had difficulty appreciating someone I dealt with regularly. When I started praying for her, I grew to love her. It took a while, but as I was bringing her to Jesus in my prayers, God changed my heart.
• Look for the other person’s viewpoint. When I see things from a different perspective, God sometimes shows me something the other person is struggling with, or something that I have done.
• Get to know other Christians outside of your church denomination. See the unity of our faith instead of focusing on differences.
• Consider our own issues instead of judging others (Matthew 7:1–5).
• Be humble. Don’t let pride in.
• Forgive — as many times as needed.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

What do you do to keep unity? Please share your ideas in the comments. I need to learn from you.

Let’s reflect the Unity of God in our lives. He will help us.

Dear Lord, Thank you for Your example of unity. Help me to be united with You, so I will reflect unity in my dealings with others. In Jesus’ powerful name, I ask this. Amen.

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For more on unity, please see my devotional blog “Unity, Please!” posted on September 16, 2021.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“Father, Jesus, Spirit” photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com