That the world may know…

My thoughts on harmony led me to thoughts of unity, of peace.

Harmony is a pleasing combination of difference, it is a simultaneous bringing together of complementary parts that together create an even more beautiful result than the individual components, or even the sum of the parts.

It is like the scriptural analogy of the body having many parts that work in unison.

Unity is not uniformity.

Unity in the body does not demand that we all function as a hand, for example.

Unity combines every distinct and different part to create a beautiful body, where each part functions in harmony with the whole.

In Ephesians 4:3, the writer says:

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

He goes on to explain:

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.

In the letter to the Galatians 3 the writer spells out some of the obvious differences amongst them, but that unity/harmony is paramount:

28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In the letter to the Romans, chapter 12, the apostle attempts to give some practical tips on how this unity/harmony could be achieved:

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Verse 18 does imply that we can only do our part in unity and harmony. Unity does not depend on only one part. We can work at it and pray for it, but ultimately, we are only responsible for our part.

Why we want to live in harmony and unity is perhaps obvious on a natural level – harmony is pleasing, healing and lovely, whereas strife and discord is stressful, destructive and uncomfortable: or as Psalm 33 says:

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

But on a missionary level, a Kingdom level, harmony and unity is vital to the evangelical work we are called to. The Gospel of John records Jesus praying a long and most beautiful prayer for unity (It is my favourite chapter in the whole Bible). And the point is this:

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 17:23

Harmony and unity is for the Glory of God and His Kingdom.

Most Fridays, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is HARMONY

I do read through my script afterwards to correct obvious mistakes; to check scripture references and to find an appropriate image to illustrate the topic.

To read other FMF posts on this subject click BELOW.

Join the fun with your own writing and read other posts here​