Unity is a wonderful thing! Life in unity with God and with other Christians is a great blessing that affects all our lives. To be a Christian is to seek unity, and to share God's love with others. Check these verses out and see what happens when the church lives in unity:
1. Living Together in Unity
"How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!"
Psalm 133:1
When we understand the importance of being united, our behavior changes. Seeking unity requires effort, but it brings great results for everyone. A pleasant atmosphere, where Jesus is the center, is essential for fellowship between brothers and sisters.
2. Growing Together
"15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Ephesians 4:15-16
In a body, all the limbs grow together. If a finger is separated from the rest of the body, it can't continue to grow, it can't even live. In the same way, we all need to be united to Jesus, who is the head, in order to have life. And in this life with Jesus, we also need the other members of the body. Together, we grow and become stronger.
3. We are Part of the Body of Christ
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:12
We are the body of Christ, part of one unit. When we become aware of the body of Christ, we understand that each one - each part of the body - is important for its full functioning. Everyone is important to God, and everyone has a function in the Kingdom of God!
4. Partilha de experiências
"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
1 Corinthians 12:26
When we unite with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we always have a shoulder to lean on! We can share our experiences with each other. In difficult times, we can give and receive comfort and support, and in good times, we can multiply the joy. We face life's adventures together as a family.
5. Being together is better than being alone
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:"
Ecclesiastes 4:9
When we're together, we can help each other. That's one of the many advantages of having a companion: a helping hand can make a difference during difficult times. In the same way, we can help a brother or sister of ours in difficulty; this cooperation helps us both to grow.
6. Witness to God's Love
"22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
John 17:22-23
Unity is a great proof of God's power. No one else can bring completely different people together and make them into a family! Only the love of Jesus can do that. When we live in unity, we show the world how incredible Jesus is!
7. Unity and Brotherly Love
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10
Unity between brothers and sisters of the church must be based on love. Without love, it is impossible to live in unity. It is love for God that keeps us together. It is through love that we bear with and exhort one another, so that all may be perfected. Love is the glue that unites us!
Never forget: you were created to live in union with God and your brothers and sisters.
Check out: 101 Incredibly Uplifting Bible Quotes