DISUNITY IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD

“Unity is important to every type of team. It is rare, though, because bringing people together is difficult due to personal agendas, egos, politics, power struggles, and negativity. Despite the difficulties, it is possible to achieve unity, and some teams have leveraged it for their success. Unity happens when leaders are committed to and engaged in the process of building a united, winning team. – Senator Jim Jordon

What is unity, and why is it so important?

Unity is particularly crucial in the church if the church is to survive and accomplish its task, we must unite. Unity protects the church from Satan and his evil intentions. United, we can face the forces of evil and negativity. Unity is the key to the growth of the church, whereas, disunity divides and often results in church splits. Particularly, the church finds courage and freedom in unity to teach and stand for the moral values of the Bible.

Unity is fundamental in the church. There is a vow that every church member should make: “I vow to be a unifying church member.” In my experience as a pastor and church member, I’ve seen far too many who were the opposite of that vow; it seems as if they vowed to be disunifying church members; I wonder if they realize the seriousness and offensiveness of their behavior before God. Do they understand that what they are doing is an abomination in the eyes of God? I can’t think of anything worse than that. The Scripture is clear concerning what God expects of the family of God as we see in the following verses from Proverbs:

“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). 

Of the six types of terrible behavior mentioned above, the seventh is the worst in the eyes of God; it is an abomination: “He that soweth discord among brethren.” Sowing discord in the church is a critical offense, yet it is common. Below are just a few of many Bible verses on the importance of unity among God’s people: 

Bible Verses About Unity in The Church (KJV, King James Version)

• 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
• Ephesians 4:1-6 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Read More…).
• John 17:21 – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 – Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.   (Read More…)Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
• Philippians 2:1-3 – If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,   (Read More…)
• Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together, except they be agreed.
• Ephesians 4:3 – Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• 2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
• Romans 15:5-6 – Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:   (Read More…)
• 1 Corinthians 12:14 – For the body is not one member, but many.
• John 17:23 – I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
• Ephesians 2:19-22 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;   (Read More…)
• Ezekiel 37:17 – And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
• Ecclesiastes 4:12 – And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• Psalms 133:1 – (A Song of degrees of David.) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
• Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I don’t mean that unity is always being a yes person. There are times to speak out against things that are wrong. For example, last week in our Bible Study, during discussion, a new couple said they had just left their church because the church voted to hire a homosexual for a staff member; they did not believe that was the right thing to do according to the Bible. They did the right thing. They were out voted by the majority, but instead of being divisive and angry, they left the church.

Being pleasant and agreeable to people most of the time is the mark of Christianity.  However, the fact is that many people take advantage of kindness. and some may consider it weakness and will use it to their advantage. It is right to be kind in social settings but fair in business situations, and ready to stand up and fight for what you believe is right regardless of what the majority believes. At the same time, unity is trying to work things out in an honest and fair way and not letting ego, power struggles, negativity, and self-centeredness get in the way.

Conclusion

Unity is of utmost importance for the church; we find Strength in harmony to overcome the Devil and forward God’s work on earth. To succeed in carrying out God’s plan for His kingdom, we must come together, standing together through thick and thin. There is much evidence in Scripture and in life experiences that unity always leads to a harmonious and fulfilling fellowship for all. Isn’t that something we should seek? Why do so many church members still not understand the importance of unity and keep on “sowing discord among brethren,” and fighting over trivial and insignificant things? God forbid!