“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
“It is like the precious ointment upon the head.”
PSALM 133

We cannot help but ponder the concept of “unity”. Does this mean we are always in agreement with one another? Or rather, that we have unity of purpose, to serve and worship in unity and in peace? How can unity be achieved and yet maintain a sense of individuality and ideas? Can harmony and diversity co-exist? These perplex and confuse, frequently. Can we be faithful to our own beliefs and yet respect the beliefs of others? Many will quickly say “Yes it is achievable”. Many will ask, “How?”

Firstly, we remember the words of Jesus:

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is thine own eye? … first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1,2,3

Passing judgement on a person’s spiritual worth may be one of the most divisive attributes of humankind. This is differentiated from judgement on behaviours. The expression, “I hate the behaviour (hurtful to others), but I love the person”. The ultimate “Spiritual judgement” cannot be one of human origin, which is imperfect by nature.

We may not use the word “hate” in all instances, but there nonetheless can be disagreement in interpretation of spiritual wisdom, of religious practices, or simply of societal issues and differing customs. Some are incompatible and without measures of intervention cannot co-exist. In particular, repression of groups or classes of people may be reprehensible to those who believe in equality of all persons and that all are spirit part of God’s Spirit.

Further words, attributed to Jesus:

“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. … Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is heaven.”
Matthew 7:17,20,21

We might conclude, therefore, that unity is possible when we agree to seek, through prayer, to increase our understanding of “the will of my Father” and to learn to apply this to all aspects of our life. Jesus’ words at Gethsemene, “not as I will but as thou wilt.”

“May Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen.