"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard,
Even Aaron's beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon,
And as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
For there the LORD commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore."
Psalm 133 KJV
Unity is a choice, and a conversation shouldn't mean contention.
As of 2020, 72% of Americans identify as ChristianI. That means 3 out of every 4 people in our country believe in Jesus. So contrary to the modern messages and persuasions of the pulpit, the enemy isn't the problem. We're running scared of demons that Jesus defeated and bound in chains 2023 years ago, and all of eternity seems to know it but us. We're wandering instead of wondering, and why? Because belief in Jesus isn't the problem; what we Christians have chosen to believe about Him is.
This same study shows that out of the 72% of Americans who are Christians, we worship 4,700 different denominations of Christianity. That's an entirely different opinion of Jesus that we've built a business around in every other city (not repeating) in America alone.
The same study that published this statistic praised the body of Christ, exclaiming, "How beautiful it is that the body of Christ is so diverse." When I saw that, I looked at the Holy Spirit, laughing, and said, "That's a very pretty word to cover up divided." And an angel then later visited my room twice that week, saying, "It's not division. It's deceit."
How do we think unity is ever coming from us?
And why are we blaming the world for our problems with the spirit of division is rooted in us, God's people? Christians are the ones who can't agree on anything, and we already outnumber the enemy 3 to 1. We've wasted a lot of time pointing fingers like Adam, blaming everyone else for the bad fruit we've eaten, and we're the ones who need to change.
This community, these conversations, these books, and what we produce are not out to create contention or arguments but agreement on who God is and His Character, not His works.
Christians have delegated authority, but we have no power because the only power people will genuinely have is the power of agreement. God's people need to sanctify a fast, not of food but of pride and opinions, and choose peace over a sword. When we pursue God's heart of mercy over judgment, we'll be able to understand Him more clearly. We need to lay down our opinions and get back to the simplicity of God's love.
That's why Jesus came, by the way. He was helping bridge the communication gap between heaven and earth with the message that He loves and is IN love with each of us. We've missed it, and that message of love wasn't good enough for us. But I pray it is now.
No one was ever more entitled to be mad at the world than Jesus, but He never was. He came in love, to love. We need to start behaving the same.
Agreements over arguments. Love over walking away. Patience and prudence instead of a love of doing things our own way. Forbearance instead of ignorance. Mercy over judgment. Fear of God instead of fear of satan and his devices.
Agreement with God and unity in the world are easier than you think, better than you believe, and possible if you want it! Especially if you want it all today.
I Zurlo, Gina. “Christians by Continent, Christianity in the United States,” Global Christianity, Zondervan Academic, 2022. pp 4, 304.
