One of the problems of humanity is disunity. Since the fall of man at Eden, it has become increasingly difficult for humans to attain peaceful coexistence. Cain could not agree with Abel, his brother and he eventually killed him and ever since, the human race has continued to become fragmented along religious and racial lines, political and social affiliations including differing values and belief systems. Despite technological innovations and the level of enlightenment and education, vices like racism, modern-day slavery and civil wars are still a common phenomenon in our world.

Unfortunately, the church which is supposed to be a pillar of light sending hope to a failed world is also affected by this scourge of disunity. Perhaps, this is why Jesus made the prayer for the unity of the church a crucial highlight of his last prayers while on earth. In John 17:11, He prayed, “…that they may be one as we are one.” Jesus also charged His disciples to stay united, John 13:34-35; a reflection of the importance He placed on unity among believers. Also, we have the ministry of reconciliation; helping two parties who cannot agree or offended to settle or resolve their differences, 2 Corinthians 5:18. If unity is of such utmost importance, how can we try to unite people as Christians? The following principles will help us live in unity with others while we also try to unite people as Christians.

1. The quality of the relationship we have with people is a reflection of the quality of the relationship we have with God: To unite people as Christians, we must understand that there is no better way to evaluate the quality of our relationship with God more than our relationship with fellow men. We cannot claim to be united with God and live in disunity with people. No one who is consistently having contact with God will live in disunity with men and women because any hitch in our relationship with men and women will hinder our relationship with God. This is why we are commanded to quickly reconcile with anyone who has a quarrel or an issue with us so that our prayers will not be hindered (Matthew 5:23-24). 1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Invariably, people who can live conveniently and consistently in disunity with fellow men and women are far from God; they are out of touch with God.

2. Unity is the Password to God’s Blessing: Psalm 133 reiterates why believers must stay united. The later part of verse 3 summarizes why unity is indispensable. It says, “…for there the Lord commanded the blessing even life forevermore.” Where does God command the blessing even life forevermore? Verse 1 tells us that it is that place where brethren dwell together in unity. This shows the reason we do not experience God’s blessing when we meet or gather as believers. God is limited and unable to move in and bless His people when there are taints of disunity in the community. The disciples didn’t receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the upper room necessarily because they were praying or fasting but because “they were all with one accord in one place,“ Acts 2:1. The unity within them gave the Holy Spirit an unhindered entrance into their midst. If it has become increasingly difficult for us to experience God’s blessing as a community of faith, perhaps we should give attention to our relationship with one another.

3. Practice Forgiveness: As long as we are in this world, people will offend us. People that we trust so much will disappoint us and let us down. We must learn to forgive them. If we have to hold everybody’s offence against them, then we will soon realize that we have no one around us with whom we can relate. There will be gross resentment and disunity. God’s word is clear about what we must do when people offend us. We to forgive from the heart, a prerequisite for receiving our forgiveness from God, Matthew 6:14-15.

4. Appreciate and celebrate other People’s Differences: There is a difference between unity and uniformity. Uniformity is demanding that every other person become like us; unity is the ability to agree despite our differences. God has not called us to unity, not uniformity. Our focus on uniformity is sometimes the motivation for starting a new movement, organization or denomination. We must learn to accommodate others despite our differences. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Relationships and how we manage them are critical to our success in life and our eternity with God. We must do everything within our reach to stay united as Christians. Others may be mean or have issues with us but “if possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,” Romans 12:18.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

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