speech on love and unity

We Are Stronger Together {A Call for Unity in the Church}

2020 has been a rough year.  All of us have been affected by the chaos that the Coronavirus has caused.  The stay-at-home orders, political posturing, violence and riots in the streets and mask mandates have ripped our country apart.

We are a divided people.

We are divided over whether masks work and if we should wear them.

We are divided over which news network is giving us the correct information.

We are divided over stay-at-home orders and how far the government can go with their reach.

We are divided over Trump vs. Biden.

We are divided over whether the cops are good or bad.

We are divided over peaceful protests vs. riots.

We are divided over our American heritage and race issues.

We are divided over whether wearing a mask is showing love to our neighbor or whether it’s a conspiracy to gain control over the masses and it goes on…and on…and on.

Less than one week before Jesus went to the cross, Jesus said a prayer for the church. Do you know what he prayed for?  This is Jesus’ prayer below:

20 “ I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,   21  that all of them may be ONE , Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE  that you have sent me.   22  I have given them the glory that you gave me,that they may be ONE  as we are one—   23  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 17:20-23)

Jesus prayed that believers would have complete unity.

So that the world would believe in Him!

This means that our unity MUST be visible to the world.

How do you think the church is doing right now?

Jesus wants us to love each other so much and be so unified that when the world sees us and how we stick together – they will want what we have. They will want to know what makes us different and want to know God.

Are we doing that?

Did you know that 150,000 people die a day – around the world – of all kinds of causes?  That’s a lot of people meeting their maker – TODAY!  Have you told them about Jesus? Or are you busy debating one of the issues above? Because I can assure you, when we get to heaven – God is going to be more pleased with our unity and how brave we were sharing the gospel, than any influence we had on people politically or socially.

I am not saying we can’t be educated, have an opinion and lovingly share it – but I am saying, if you really want to love those around you – point them to Jesus.  Because wearing a mask might save someone physically from death – but if you want to see someone saved from spiritual death – you will have to love them enough to both share and live out the gospel.

The way you live your life, says something profound about the God you serve.  When you choose to say no to things that are wrong, say yes to things that are right, love the unlovable – including those who look different from you and even your enemies, forgive those who have wronged you, embrace faith over fear, and embrace unity rather than division – you are different!

We are stronger together.

This is a call for unity in the church.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 133:1,

How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Every time we obey one of God’s commands, there is a joy benefit.   Psalm 133 says it is both good and pleasant when we are unified.  Wouldn’t 2020 be sweeter if we the church was really working hard to love one another above all else and unified as a result.

We need these difficult times to bring us together – not pull us apart.

We need each other.

Stand up church and be strong.

Hebrews 10:25 says:

“Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.”

Psalm 133:1 says:

The word dwell means to physically be together.  It is good and pleasant to be together in unity.

Our unity is being tested.

And by the looks of social media and the empty pews right now – I’d say we have some work to do.

Rise up church!

Jesus said:

“ You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Don’t take the bait of Satan.  He will keep you from attending your local church and connecting with other believers if he can.  He will tempt you to argue and fight.  He will tempt you to judge others with different political views.  He will drive a wedge between you and your friends or loved ones if he can.

Fight back with love.

Love people.

Jesus is love.

It takes two to have unity and peaceful relationships.  So I challenge you today…go first.  Pursue peace and pursue unity.  There is always a blessing for those who obey God’s word.  And never forget – we are stronger together.

Special Note: I removed two paragraphs from this post that were divisive.  I am not looking to be divisive especially in a post that has a call for unity in it 😉 .  Love you all. 

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41 Comments

Thank you for this message!

Satan might be trying to divide us but what he has done is spread us, away from our buildings and into the community. He only divides us when we allow him to. Be church where you are. Rejoice that you have the freedom to worship where you are. Christ will turn everything for good. Trust in Him.

Amen, as in Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for the good, for those who are called according to his purpose”

I just stopped following you. Shame on you! This is terrible. You can be close to God and don’t have to do it with 500 people.

Dear Leigh,

I’m so sorry to see you go. I agree with you that our walk with God is not dependent on other people but I was thinking about being close to one another in unity and how vital the local church is for that. I removed two of the paragraphs of this post so that I don’t get off track from the heart of this post. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Much Love, Courtney

Courtney, I read it before you removed the paragraphs. I am very much convicted by what you shared. Know that the Lord has used this (especially the removed words) greatly here in my heart.

I totally agree with this and the original posts. It moved me and changed how I was feeling about church.

Thank you, Courtney, for this very well-timed and well-spoken exhortation! What a necessary message for Christians today! You have so humbly and eloquently spoken what has been on my heart.

We are living in a difficult time with many changes and stressors around us so we do need to give grace to others but I’m seeing many, many Christians spending an exorbitant amount of time researching, debating and trying to convince others about these social issues with the end result of an angry mob of Christians who don’t have time or energy to do the main things Jesus has called us to do. We should be more burdened and passionate for people’s salvation than any social issue. I would encourage everyone to make sure they are spending more time in God’s Word and prayer than in reading/discussing social issues. And also, keep connected with your local church which God ordained as the spiritual authority over us to guide & protect us. (There are many ways we can still connect despite whatever restrictions our area has.) Only with our connections to Jesus and His body can we ascertain that our passions are pointed in the right direction. When we humbly submit to our Lord Jesus and stay connected to our church, God can unite us on the same path. — As an encouragement, in my life, because of these restrictions, we have met and connected with more neighbors than EVER before. Relationships have started, friendships have formed and opportunities to share the gospel have opened. We have prayed for years for opportunities to connect with our neighbors to no avail. Then lock down hit and God opened unique doors that couldn’t otherwise be opened. I praise God for the unique opportunities I have had and am trying to be faithful in this time because I know it won’t last forever. Eventually, we will all be back to our busy lives so I encourage others to ask Jesus how He wants to use you to make an eternal difference in such a time as this????.

…And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? -Esther 4:14b

AWESOME POST!! THANK YOU!

I wish we could go to church with masks on – you are very blessed to be able to do that. In my state, we are mandated to not hold church services yet so on-line is what we are working with. We thank God all the time for technology! Your words ring true either way – Unity is God’s way – Amen!

Thank you for this, Courtney. I appreciate you! We do need to be unified, not pulled apart. I believe these are signs of the times. I believe God is coming back for His children soon in the rapture and Satan is doing everything in his power to pull the church apart before that. We have to not live in fear and trust God. I gave Ps. 56:3 to a friend yesterday. Thank you for your heart for God and His children.

You are so blessed to have an open church!!! Our county in CA has been closed down since March, and there are no churches opened. In other counties that are, the governor has made worship illegal. I miss going to church with all my heart!

Thank you Courtney for sharing this truth! Calling the church to put others first and walking in unity As believers is the foundation of the biblical church. Thank you for having the courage to call the church to come together as one! Not to shrink back but have the courage to work through extreme challenges! Jesus paid a price of his life so that his body would be as one, and come together as one!

I appreciate many of your thoughts but as a pastor I ask that you not judge those that are not in the church building. We are in a time like no other and this is a health crisis not a rights issue. Out of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as our community at large the less large gatherings we have now the sooner we can resume some sense of normalcy . Our church has resumed gathering and we have only about 25% attendance but more than ever are worshipping with us via technology. And it is tremendous work on any church staff to provide a safe environment to worship In a physical location from week to week. God knows the hearts of all. Judging comments do not promote unity. And physically being in a church building to worship (in the midst of a pandemic) is not an indicator of unity either. May God be our strength in these days.

Thank you for your feedback. I did not see my post as judgmental until I read a few of the comments here and so I edited the post and removed 2 of the paragraphs that were probably causing division. I certainly don’t want to do that – especially in a post about unity. Lol! So thank you for your feedback!

Much Love, Courtney 🙂

Courtney I totally support your post and see is as a loving reminder to remain close to the body if possible. I was encouraged .

I was so impressed by this post until the last part about being disappointed about church attendance. The church body has many, many tools today to responsibly gather, without gathering in large groups. Large groups should be avoided, wherever possible, because they can become super spreader events. These events can spread disease among the strong, who will most likely recover, who then carry it home, to grocery stores, and Dr. offices, municipal buildings, ect. Stopping the spread of this disease, means avoiding large groups wherever possible. So what is a church to do? Look back in history. The church has survived so, so much worse, without ANY of the tools we have at our fingertips today. Plagues, famines, wars, societies breaking down, societies recovering. Does anyone honestly believe that a (modern day, mind you) global pandemic will stop the Chuch? Will stop Jesus? Will stop our Savior from meeting us where we are? He gives His people creativity, and we can use that creativity to worship! I know a church that has broken down their worship services into 3 responsibly sized (50 or less groups) They group the chairs so families can sit together, use lots of hand sanitizer, and wear masks. Some churches, including mine, have online services and drive in services (fun, right?) How about a small backyard or park Sunday school? Travelling VBS that meets in a child’s front yard, with a message, a craft, and a treat? A church can Zoom, and we can get involved in social work that meets the needs of the community; food distribution, medical supply distribution, well checks on the elderly where you just stand on the porch and check in and pray with someone at an appropriate social distance. The list goes on and on! Remember, tradition is not king, the Lord is King. His church will survive, and emerge stronger than ever! Believe that, and be open minded about the type of gathering that the government allows right now. Our respect of guidelines that protect community health is an invaluable witness!

Dear Annie,

I love your comment! You convinced me to remove 2 of the paragraphs of my post that were coming across wrong. Thank you for sharing your heart here. Very encouraging!

Lots of Love, Courtney 🙂

Thanks! You have weathered some tough times, and I greatly respect your ministry. I truly believe that having faith in times like these will strengthen all of us, if we let it. And oh, when we can all meet again, singing our praises out loud to Him, what sweet, sweet joy we will experience! Until then, I’m digging deeper, boots to the ground, with a firm belief that I will be tested, my response to this testing will grow my faith (if I let it), and that eternal God is always in control.

I love how positive this exchange of ideas was, especially on a topic that can get so heated. This is so rare to see online. 🙂

Not to bring condemnation but when I look at our example(Jesus) who we are to imitate, He didn’t social distance. He touched the leper, the unclean woman with the issue of blood touched Him, these people were healed. The problem is we “Christians” aren’t walking the walk. All we do is make up excuses for our lack. Believers should have miracles signs and wonders following them, but all we have is excuses as to why people are sick, dying, and in despair. We are to bring the GOOD NEWS to people. The Good news that there is HOPE because of the finished work of Jesus. The Word says not to FEAR. If we were really concerned about the health of people, we would be laying hands on the sick, not running from the afraid to “spread” the sick.

It is amazing how the devil works! Distraction upon distraction for the church! And confusion is running rampant. That’s what satan wants in these times. I myself am suffering from it daily! I have come off FB, and I can not listen to the news anymore. I do not take the virus lightly, but neither do I take the agendas being pushed. That’s why I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place constantly. I want to love my neighbor so bad. I want to see souls saved. But this is where I am stuck. When I see someone in a mask, I see people being silenced. I see gags in people’s mouths. I see obedience to the government that is trying to control the people and strip us from our rights slowly. Most will not agree with me at all and think me insane for believing such “conspiracies.” But every day, more and more of the conspiracies seem to become realities I’m afraid. I feel like a ping pong ball. I know what I see and what I hear. I live in a state where the governor is a smooth talker and wants to make our state a laboratory for the vax. His exact words published in the NY Times, not mine! This is what I’m constantly bombarded with. I don’t want to live in bubble, but I don’t want to face facts either and go on overload.

I’m explaining my thoughts so that I can ask these questions…Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only one here? I’m only looking for help, not political debate. The BIG question here comes down to this; how do you keep unity in the church, but continue to fight for your rights at the same time??

Hi there. Your last question is really interesting. As I thought about it, Philippians 2 popped into my head and challenged me:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant …”

This is what occurred to me: if Jesus stooped so low and made Himself nothing for us, then what is He calling me, as His child, to do for the church and the other people around me? He tells us to be salt and light where we are, an influence for good.

Also, Paul talks about us being a “fragrance of life” to the people around us (2. Cor. 2.16)

My conclusion, for what it’s worth, is that if we belong to Jesus, we are called to behave in a way that reflects what He is like and that brings life to the people of our age. It’s the old question of “what would Jesus do?” Time and again, and most of all on the Cross, we see that He put His own needs aside for the sake of other people. He is Lord over all, but He never mentions His own rights.

Ephesians 4.1-4 is helpful here, and also Romans 14.

Despite all the strangeness of these days, I hope you find a way forward that actually draws more people towards Jesus 🙂

Fiona, these are really good points with good scripture. I need to meditate on these more. I feel like it is such a fine line to walk right now though. It’s hard, but Jesus never promised a “picnic in the Poconos” as what we say here in the east. There has to be a way to behave as salt and light, yet not back down on our patriotism, I guess you can call it. Another thing God has been working on my heart it that “gentle and quiet spirit” I lack sometimes. BUT that zeal in me just wants to rise up! However, if it causes one to stumble which Paul talks about (Romans 14), then we are not to pursue that in that moment.

Thank you for taking the time to respond!

I feel the same way. The top 5 vaccines have been developed using aborted fetal tissue. The governor in my state has also hinted that the vaccine will be mandatory. I can not in good conscience take this vaccine.

It is alarming how quickly people have given up their God given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness (the ability to work, provide for your family, and enjoy the fruits of your labor) for a perceived sense of safety. We engage in activities every day that come with risk and I have chosen not to live my life in fear.

Ooohhhh… don’t get me started on the vax! lol… it is completely against my Christian beliefs with those ingredients, and to be stripped of my rights as an America citizen to choose what’s best for my family regarding my health… but I don’t want to start something here… sigh… this was refreshing to read by Mike Rowe that talks about the other risks we take on a daily basis…

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe/posts/3445993122077473

Anyways… I am totally with you!! I have chosen the same. One scripture I like is Psalm 139:5. “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” I have a chock full of them I’ve been studying to keep my head clear and free of the other “sickness” that’s going around.

I wonder if you even read Courtney’s post. You both are purposely bringing up controversial topics to cause division. No one wants to read this craziness here.

Well said, AND You are not alone. At the beginning we stopped having services. We feared the unknown. But May 31st the original date to go back to church we went back. Some sooner then we did, still many not going. We are making decisions out of fear! Where is our Faith? Do we not fear God more then man? I had to close my Business (Day Spa/Esthetician). I thank God my husband still has a job. We are a small church, we can and do social distance. I’m not judging anyone, but for me and my house we have chosen to follow Bible over government. We live in California, near San Francisco. The riots and gang problems are rampant here. Our lives have changed significantly and not for the better. I had to come to a decision, do I really believe God when He said He WILL supply all our needs? Fear God more then man, for what can man do to the? He can take my life but not my Soul! That belongs to Jesus. We can’t pick and choose, what to put into practice, the Bible is not a smorgasbord, take what you like and leave the rest behind. We will give an account to God for every decision we make. As Christians it’s time to Rise up! The thugs and government are winning because Christians won’t take a stand. I often ponder, is God just shaking his head in disappointment? He gave His Sons life for us, yet we refuse to stand for Him, because of fear! We are as sheep being led to the slaughter and many don’t recognize it. Churches here have received a letter from the government wanting every church members name, address, phone number. Absolutely NOT! We are in a Spiritual battle that can only be fought Spiritually. Courtney’s posted, gave me encouragement to rise up! It’s time we take this country back to God! Amen Be encouraged you are not alone.

Well said! Loving and convicting. Just what my slothful self needs to hear on a Sunday morning. ????

Thank you for the post. While it is something we should strive for, I don’t know that it is possible to have unity in the church this side of heaven. Some churches today support behavior that is condemned in the Bible. If a church does not value God’s principles, there will be a divide.

Sadly my church is now supporting Black Lives Matter and encouraging church members to become “woke” and acknowledge their white privilege. I hope they are doing so because they truly don’t understand what the organization BLM supports.

My church also asserts that we are loving our neighbor by staying home and not worshipping in person. It’s ironic that my church’s slogan is “Doing Life Together” when they kept the doors closed for 4 months (they just recently started meeting again with a mask requirement). They also assert that Hebrews 10:25 doesn’t really mean that we have to meet in person…meeting online is fulfilling our obligation to meet. However, I would argue that there was no other way to meet in Bible times except in person (no phones or Internet), so they are twisting the meaning of this Scripture.

I’m sad that many of my friends and my church are only listening to “experts” and politicians. They have not taken the time to educate themselves on COVID-19 and viruses in general, how God has created our bodies with amazing immune systems to fight off disease, to seek truth (we aren’t getting it from politicians or the media), research the effectiveness of masks, and are instead choosing to live in fear. My sister, who is not a Christian, had a conversation with me a few years ago and stated that you don’t need to go to church to be a Christian. I explained that is true, but God created us for community and the Bible tells us to gather on a regular basis. I recently received a text message from her commenting that the only cancellations on the local news site was for churches. She asked if it’s supposedly important for churches to meet, why are they still closed after 4 months. Unbelievers are watching and drawing conclusions from our actions.

Oh man… I’m so sorry about all this!!!

I dont want to upset anyone but can we please focus on God and leave the politics out of it. Everywhere you go on social media that is all it’s about. I had to unfollow a couple of things because it became to stressful. There has to be a safe place to go for encouragement without all the other stuff.

I am one of those people who is at home watching church online. I have a spouse and a child who both have health conditions which would put them at great risk if they would contract coronavirus. We have been pretty much staying at home since March. I can’t tell you how much I miss my church and my church family. I stay in touch through text messages and zoom but it is not the same. I try to stay positive but not attending church is really hard and breaks my heart. Sometimes it is really hard explaining to my christian brother and sisters why my family can’t attend church. It is not because we lack faith, don’t want to be there or because we are buying into a political agenda, it is a health issue. I say all this to make a point. We have to be careful about judging each other, especially now. Satan wants to use this to divide us. Let’s not let him win. Instead, let’s encourage one another. Send a nice note or call the brother or sister’s not at church.

I read this today in my bible study and thought I would share. Many of us need to constantly remind ourselves of this dual truth: we are not in charge of the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of control. Someone far greater, more righteous, and wiser than us is in charge. This is one of the reasons our worry is futile: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21).

Yes! This is what I’ve been saying! The enemy has seized this opportunity to divide the church and has us right where he wants us. He’s probably laughing at how easy it was to turn us against one another. Thank you for standing up and calling us to unity.

Beautifully put Courtney<3

I have many struggles daily with my faith and this was a very big nudge for me in the right direction. I like how you brought out ONE. I always wonder how one religion could be the ONLY way. When there are some many that follow our Lord and are such fine examples ie; you.

I found the Lord thru a religion that is considered a cult. JW Main I crumbled in that denomination I cracked under the pressure to be Perfect. Well that is is how my minds eye saw it. So I have been listening to you, Bruce Gore and Northlake baptist GA Rev. Danny.

Thank you again and I pray for Peace and Love to continue for you and your family.

Michele (Michelle) Causes bit of an identity crises. lol

Courtney what a blessing you are to so many. I want you to know I too felt lost without being about to attend church. But, the ability to meet with this group of fantastic ladies has truly been an uplifting experience. 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no division among you, but you be united in the same mind and same judgment. We need to stand united and love each other as you stated. God bless you for your willingness to bring us together to study God’s Holy Word. Thank you so very much.

I SO appreciate you and your ministry. Thank you! You offer insight to my walk with God and help me better understand His holy word.

WOW! This message is mind blowing. What a call for the bonding and connection to the body of Christ ????. This like a wake up call , asking us to take our stand for HIS KINGDOM ❤️????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Thank you so much for this. It sums up how I’ve been thinking and feeling for quite some time now. My heart has been so heavy by all of the division and condemnation I see and hear from other brothers and sisters in Christ. While I can’t control anyone else, I can control how I respond. I just pray to model grace and love and walk with the Spirit. We all fall short and these are uncharted waters, but God…. He is and will use all of this for His glory and our good. And then there the hope and promise we have of heaven. This is not our home. Again, thanks for this. It’s been a long tough month for me.

I sure appreciated your heartfelt post, Courtney! Thank you for all you do! May God bless you!

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Speeches > Kevin J Worthen > Persevere in Unity

Persevere in Unity

Kevin j worthen.

President of Brigham Young University

January 12, 2021

Welcome to the start of a new semester, one full of promise but also one in which we face two major challenges: (1) a global pandemic that threatens our physical health and (2) increasing divisiveness and anger that threaten the moral and spiritual fiber of our society. Basically, COVID and chaos. The good news is that there are things within our individual and collective control that we can do to address both of these challenges.

The Seventh-Inning Stretch

Let me start with the first. Even though many of the traditional educational routines continue to be altered because of the coronavirus, there is increasing light on the horizon. With the rapidly expanding availability of a vaccine, we can envision a future in which we will be able to gather more often and in larger numbers and in which in-person meetings and classes will become the norm rather than the exception.

But—and this is important—that day has not come yet, and the speed with which it comes, as well as the adverse impact the virus will have in the interim, will depend in no small part on the degree to which we continue to adhere to safety and health guidelines over these next few months. So while there is increased optimism because the end is in sight, there is a commensurate need to be more diligent than ever in wearing masks, washing our hands, maintaining social distancing, and complying with testing protocols.

As I have considered our situation in this regard, my mind has gone to a tradition that began in earnest with William Howard Taft, the twenty-seventh president of the United States and later chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court—the only person in U.S. history to serve as the head of both the executive and judicial branches.

President Taft was a large man, standing more than six feet in height and weighing well more than 300 pounds. He was also an avid fan of major-league baseball. On April 14, 1910, President Taft attended the opening game of the major-league season between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics. According to one report:

As the face-off between the Senators and the Athletics wore on, the rotund, six-foot-two president . . . grew more and more uncomfortable in his small wooden chair. By the middle of the seventh inning he could bear it no lon­ger and stood up to stretch his aching legs—­whereupon everyone else in the stadium, thinking the president was about to leave, rose to show their respect. A few minutes later Taft returned to his seat, the crowd followed suit, and the “seventh-inning stretch” was born. 1

While most historians agree that something akin to a late-inning stretch took place sporadically at some baseball games prior to 1910, 2 its enduring popularity as one of baseball’s most deeply embedded rituals can be traced in large part to Taft’s aches and pains at that Senators-Athletics game.

Now what does President Taft’s experience at a baseball game more than a century ago have to do with us? Let me suggest that with respect to the pandemic, we are just finishing the seventh-inning stretch. Just as President Taft needed a break after sitting in an undersized seat for six and a half innings, many of us were ready for a change by the end of last fall semester. If seven innings of being confined to an uncomfortable seat can seem like a long time, nine months of social distancing, Zoom classes, and mask wearing can seem like a lifetime. Yet we persevered. We made it to the end of the fall semester, and we welcomed the chance to change positions—to stretch, so to speak. The pandemic seventh-inning stretch came just in time for many of us.

But the game was not over when President Taft took that rejuvenating break. He was reenergized, but he returned to his wooden chair, and its shape and size were no more accommodating than they were before he stood. There was more baseball to be played, and the outcome was still uncertain. 3 A lot can happen in the last two innings of a baseball game.

Similarly, the pandemic experience is not over for us. The need to adhere to the guidelines is more important than ever. Because of your good work last semester, we are ahead. And if we stay ahead—if we finish strong—we can, like the home baseball team, end the game one-half inning early. If, on the other hand, we lose focus and let down our guard, the virus may overtake us, requiring us to go extra innings—or worse, to cancel the game.

The seventh-inning stretch can, therefore, not only rejuvenate us but also remind us of the need to continue on—the need to persevere. The word persevere has a deeper meaning than we may realize. President Russell M. Nelson recently shared with us that one of the Hebrew meanings of the theologically significant name Israel is “let God prevail.” 4 Another Hebrew meaning of that name—given to Jacob after his bout of wrestling—is “persevere”: “he perseveres (with) God.” 5 This linguistic connection between persevere and Israel reminds us that difficult tasks, like persevering through a pandemic, are easier when we involve God in the process. So I urge you to persevere—to “be not weary in well-doing,” 6 as modern ­scripture puts it. We have made it to the seventh-inning stretch. We just need to finish strong.

One key to persevering comes from another aspect of the traditional seventh-inning stretch. Years after President Taft’s precedent-setting stretch in 1910, some teams began to add music to the tradition. In 1934, the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was played for the first time in a World Series game. 7 Over the ensuing decades, that song has become standard seventh-inning fare at most major-league parks. 8 Because of its association with the seventh-inning stretch, it is now unquestionably the best-known baseball song in America—one that unifies the entire crowd at a baseball game, regardless of their team preference.

To those unfamiliar with baseball, this surely must be odd. As one reporter put it:

The seventh-inning stretch is a bit bizarre—fans suddenly standing up and singing a song about attending the very event they’re at—but it’s . . . a ritual that makes baseball baseball, with its history and share d experiences. 9

And it is that unifying element of the ritual that makes the moment so powerful and reenergizing. It doesn’t matter how well you sing or which team you are cheering for: during the seventh-inning stretch, you are united with others around you—brought together in the moment. As one Colorado Rockies fan explained:

At the ballpark it doesn’t matter if you sing alto or awful. . . .

“. . . [Baseball is] best enjoyed if you embrace . . . the chance to stand up and join in a tradition where, for one minute, we can all get along—even with the Cards fans or Dodgers fans.” 10

There is, as Joseph Smith explained, power in unity. 11 And we are in more need of that unifying power than perhaps at any time in our lifetimes, not only to weather the pandemic storm but also to address pressing issues like social justice, ­poverty, racism, and angry divisiveness and ­intolerance in political and other matters.

That We May Be as One

Unity is a concept that extends well beyond baseball, and even beyond any of the more important issues we currently face. It is an eternal gospel principle whose presence or absence determines not only the stability and prosperity of a community but also our own eternal destiny. 12 Simply put, we cannot be exalted without achieving a high level of unity.

The Lord made this clear in section 38 of the Doctrine and Covenants. He commanded the early Saints, “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” 13 Given the centrality of unity to our eternal destiny, it is not surprising that on the last evening of His mortal ministry, the Savior prayed to His Heavenly Father on behalf of His beloved disciples, asking “that they may be one, even as we are one . . . , that they may be made perfect in one.” 14

The positive impact of unity on individuals and society is demonstrated by scriptural examples of societies that had achieved an extraordinary level of unity. These include the descendants of Lehi in the American continent after the visitation of the Savior, 15 the members of the early Church in the Middle East shortly after the Savior’s mortal ministry there, 16 and the ancient people of Enoch. 17 In each of these situations, the members of the society had “their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another” 18 to such an extent that they could be described as being “of one heart.” 19 Speaking of those who had reached this level of unity, Mormon observed, “Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.” 20

Unity is essential to our happiness. Some may find a call for unity strange at a time when we are working to promote more diversity on campus. But, as Elder Quentin L. Cook noted in the most recent general conference, “unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.” 21

Some confusion on this issue comes from the ambiguity of the term unity. True unity does not require us to give up our individuality. As the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. observed, “Unity has never meant uniformity.” 22 While all human beings share a common bond as beloved spirit children of Heavenly Parents, 23 each of us is a unique individual with individual personalities, experiences, and gifts. And each of these individual characteristics can contribute to greater unity.

The apostle Paul explained how this works in his first epistle to the Saints at Corinth. After noting the different gifts that different individuals had been blessed with, Paul taught that even though the gifts were different, each contributed to the whole, just as individual parts of the body contribute to the wellness of the whole body. And each individual part is equally important. Paul said:

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? . . .

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? . . .

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 24

President Howard W. Hunter summarized the point and applied it to the modern-day Church when he stated:

We are truly dependent on each other, “and the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” (1 Cor. 12:21.) Nor can the North Americans say to the Asians, nor the Europeans to the islanders of the sea, “I have no need of thee.” No, in this church we have need of every member, and we pray, as did Paul when he wrote to the church in Corinth, “that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the ­members rejoice with it.” (1 Cor. 12:25–26.) 25

That same principle applies with full force to the university community. When we welcome and value the gifts, talents, experiences, and perspectives of all of God’s children who are engaged in our common enterprise, we will not only more fully reach our individual potential but will also be more united.

Elder Bruce C. Hafen offered a simple analogy to explain how bringing together those with diverse gifts, personalities, and experiences can produce an enhanced and enriched form of unity:

For me, the ideal metaphor is a musical one: with our many voices, we could all sing in unison, in harmony, or in dissonance. Of these three, I prefer harmony, because it enables a variety of voices to blend into a fuller, richer sound than mere unison. 26

And, as demonstrated by Marcus Roberts and the Modern Jazz Generation at a forum here last February, the analogy applies regardless of the type of music. Even in a jazz ensemble in which individual improvisation often takes center stage, there is still a need for unity, and the results of this combination of individuality and unity are sweet, as demonstrated in the following clip. [A video clip was shown. 27 ]

So if we want to achieve our full potential as individuals and as a campus community, we need to emphasize both unity and diversity—both our commonality and our individuality. Without unity, diversity becomes divisive. Without diversity, unity becomes stagnant. As Pastor Skip Heitzig put it, “If you have unity without variety, you have uniformity and that’s boring. If you have variety without unity, you have anarchy.” 28

A powerful example of what can happen when unity and diversity combine was provided by our football team this past fall. As the team gathered for summer workouts, the sporting world—and most of society—was focused on racial inequalities and inequities that were brought to the fore by a number of events. Co-captain Troy Warner explained, “We just wanted to get together . . . and just kind of talk about how we were feeling, let players express their feelings, their emotions.” 29

As described by one reporter:

Black players, Polynesian players and white players took turns. They had seen NBA players wearing social justice messages on their uniforms. . . .

The BYU players decided they wanted to send a message, too, one they hoped would be visible to the millions expected to watch broadcasts of their games. . . .

“We had an open forum about what we thought should be the message,” junior wide receiver Dax Milne said. “We really tried hard to make it a message that was not controversial . . . , and someone mentioned ‘love one another, ’ ” a teaching of Jesus Christ that resonates deeply with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 30

The team designed a T-shirt with “We Are One” on the front and “Love One Another” on the back, reflecting both the power of unity and the means by which that happens. As co-captain Isaiah Kaufusi stated, “We’ve chosen to love, and that unites us.” 31

The message was seen by millions, and sales of the T-shirts generated more than $200,000 in ­profits—all of which the players decided to contribute to scholarships for first-generation college students and others with extenuating circumstances at BYU. 32

If we strive for true unity by following the Savior’s example to love others, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, political leanings, or other distinguishing characteristics, we can truly transform both our university community and the larger world with which we interact.

Two Things We Can Do to Persevere and Be More Unified

Let me suggest two things we can do to enhance unity and diversity in ways that will help us both persevere though the pandemic and lay the foundation for a stronger, more diverse, and more unified campus.

1. We Must Avoid Contention

First, we must avoid contention. While diversity is not the opposite of unity, contention is. As the Savior Himself made clear when He was laying the foundation for a Zion society in the ancient Americas:

He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Behold, this is not my doctrine . . . ; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. 33

This does not mean that we will not disagree with each other, but it does mean we will do so in a way that both focuses on issues and not on ad hominem attacks and reflects the truth that each of us, including those with whom we disagree, is a beloved spirit child of Heavenly Parents. Former academic vice president James R. Rasband explained at our annual university conference in 2017:

For us it is not unity o r diversity but both unity an d diversity. . . . Diverse perspectives and experiences will be a boon to our effort to discern how best to accomplish our Mission and Aims. We won’t always agree, but we can disagree charitably. By charitable disagreement I mean more than basic civility. Instead of mere civility, which is a baseline obligation, I hope we will listen—really listen—to each other and work to understand one another’s views and statements in a charitable light. What an oasis of learning we would be if pursuing light and truth were the goal and if inevitable disagreements were handled with true charity. 34

Oh, how we need that kind of oasis in the world today. And BYU can be that oasis.

As Dr. King put it, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” 35 As the football T-shirts remind us, if we want to be one, we must love one another, even those—especially those—with whom we disagree.

2. Perfect Unity Is Achieved Only Through God and Christ

Second, we need to recognize that perfect unity can be achieved only through God and Christ. Our efforts to become united will be fully successful only if we focus first on our relationship with Them. The Guide to the Scriptures defines unity as “to become one in thought, desire, and purpose first with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, and then with other Saints.” 36

If we align ourselves more with God and Christ, we will become more loving, we will see others more for who they really are, and we will draw closer to both God and our fellow human beings. Elder David A. Bednar once explained this truth in a more visual way with respect to married couples. Using a triangle with Christ at the apex and a wife at the base of one corner and a husband at the base of the other, both separated from each other and from the Savior, Elder Bednar explained that as both of those in the couple focus their attention on the Savior, they are drawn upward to Him, and they naturally move closer toward one another at the same time. As Elder Bednar explained, “Because of and through the Redeemer, . . . [people] come closer together.” 37

When speaking of the Zion societies described in 4 Nephi and the New Testament book of Acts, Sister Reyna I. Aburto explained:

We can suppose that the reason why they were so united is because they knew the Lord personally. They had been close to Him, and they had been witnesses of His divine mission, of the miracles that He performed, and of His Resurrection. . . . They knew that “He is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress.” 38

God is the author of diversity and the source of unity. As we come closer to Him and to His Son, Jesus Christ, we will advance both powerful principles in a synergistic way. As we embrace our true primary identity as children of God and act as disciples of Christ, they will magnify our individual gifts while also making us more united.

So my message to you is simple: persevere in unity by coming closer to Heavenly Father and Christ, who never tire and who are perfectly united. 39 If we do so, we will be able to successfully meet whatever challenges we may face individually or collectively in the coming semester and year. May we do so is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved. 

1. David Emery, “The History of the Seventh-Inning Stretch,” Humor, Urban Legends, LiveAbout, 25 March 2019, liveabout.com/who-invented-the-seventh-inning-stretch-3298241. See also Wikipedia, s.v. “seventh-inning stretch.”

2. See Elizabeth Nix, “How Did Baseball’s Seventh-Inning Stretch Originate?” History Stories, History, 22 August 2018, history.com/news/how-did-baseballs-seventh-inning-stretch-originate. See also Benjamin Hochman, “Seventh Inning: The Stretch,” Extras, Denver Post, 2015, extras.denverpost.com/nine-innings/inning7.html.

3. The Senators won the game 3-0 on a one-hitter by Walter Johnson. See Stephen V. Rice, “April 14, 1910: Walter Johnson Impresses President Taft on Opening Day,” Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-14-1910-walter-johnson-impresses-president-taft-on-opening-day.

4. Russell M. Nelson, “ Let God Prevail ,” Ensign, November 2020; quoting Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Israel.”

5. Genesis 32:28 , note b. See primitive root word for Israel, s.v. “sarah” at word number 8280 on page 121 of the Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, New York: Abingdon Press, 1890): “to prevail:—have power (as a prince)”; see also word number 8280 on page 975 of The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon: With an Appendix Containing the Biblical Aramaic, ed. Francis Brown, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1906; reprint, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996): “persist, exert oneself, persevere.” Also see primitive root word for Israel, s.v. “sarar” at word number 8323 on page 121 of the Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary in Strong’s Concordance: “to have . . . dominion:—altogether, make self a prince, (bear) rule.”

6. D&C 64:33 .

7. See Wikipedia, s.v. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The original 1908 lyrics were:

Katie Casey was baseball mad,

Had the fever and had it bad.

Just to root for the home town crew,

Katie blew.

On a Saturday her young beau

Called to see if she’d like to go

To see a show, but Miss Kate said, “No,

I’ll tell you what you can do:”

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don’t care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don’t win, it’s a shame.

For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,

At the old ball game.

Katie Casey saw all the games,

Knew the players by their first names.

Told the umpire he was wrong,

Good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Katie Casey knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the gang sing this song:

8. Lyricist Jack Norworth

claimed that he scribbled the words on an envelope after seeing a sign on the subway that read: “Baseball Today—Polo Grounds.” . . . Norworth also maintained that he had never attended a professional baseball game before penning those sixteen lines, which were set to music by songwriter and publisher Albert von Tilzer (1878–1956), who also had never seen a baseball game. [“Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” article, Library of Congress, loc.gov/item/ihas.200153239]

9. Hochman, “Seventh Inning: The Stretch”; emphasis added.

10. Hochman, “Seventh Inning: The Stretch”; quoting Lauren Cronin.

11. “Unity is power” (Joseph Smith, “To the Saints,” Times and Seasons 4, no. 24 [1 November 1843]: 377; quoted in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2007], 275).

12. Joseph Smith taught:

Unity is strength. “How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” [see Psalm 133:1 ]. Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this principle, and the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole church. [“Extract from an Epistle to the Elders in England,” Times and Seasons 2, no. 5 (1 January 1841): 258; text ­modernized; quoted in Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Smith,  276]

13. D&C 38:27 .

14. John 17:22–23 .

15. See 4 Nephi 1 .

16. See Acts 4:32 .

17. See Moses 7:16–20 , 69 .

18. Mosiah 18:21 .

19. Acts 4:32 ; Moses 7:18 . See also 4 Nephi 1:15, 17 .

20. 4 Nephi 1:16 .

21. Quentin L. Cook, “ Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity ,” Ensign, November 2020.

22. Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t Wait (Boston: Beacon Press, 2011), 157.

23. See “ The Family: A Proclamation to the World ” (23 September 1995).

24. 1 Corinthians 12:14–15, 17, 20–21 .

25. Howard W. Hunter, “ That We May Be One ,” Ensign, May 1976.

26. Bruce C. Hafen, “ All Those Books, and the Spirit, Too !” BYU annual university conference address, 26 August 1991.

27. See Marcus Roberts, “ Democracy Through Jazz ,” BYU forum event with the Modern Jazz Generation, 25 February 2020.

28. Skip Heitzig, “Hang Together,” Connection devotional, LightSource, 2 July 2010, lightsource.com/devotionals/the-connection-devotional-with-skip-heitzig/the-connection-devotional-week-of-july-2-11634157.html.

29. Troy Warner, in Tad Walch, “BYU: The Top 10 Football Team Spreading a Message of Healing in 2020,” Faith, Sports, Deseret News, 6 November 2020.

30. Walch, “Spreading a Message.”

31. Isaiah Kaufusi, in Walch, “Spreading a Message.”

32. See Walch, “Spreading a Message.” Note that the BYU Store also has chosen to contribute all its share of the profits to the same cause.

33. 3 Nephi 11:29–30 . It is noteworthy that when describing the Zion society that flourished after the Savior’s visit to the Americas, Mormon, who had witnessed the complete disintegration of that society, repeatedly highlighted the absence of contention as a hallmark of the Zion society (see 4 Nephi 1:2, 13, 15, 18 ).

34. James R. Rasband, “ Paired Aspirations ,” BYU university conference faculty session address, 28 August 2017; emphasis in original.

35. Martin Luther King Jr., “Loving Your Enemies” (sermon preached in Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama, 17 November 1957), in King, Strength to Love (Boston: Beacon Press, 2019), 47.

36. Guide to the Scriptures, s.v. “unity”; emphasis added.

37. David A. Bednar, “ Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan ,” Ensign, June 2006.

38. Reyna I. Aburto, “ With One Accord ,” Ensign, May 2018; quoting Jean B. Bingham, “ That Your Joy Might Be Full ,” Ensign, November 2017.

39. The Prophet Joseph Smith often encouraged the Saints to persevere in unity, admonishing them to engage in what he called “a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together,” a common saying at the time (quoted by Joseph Smith, in Times and Seasons 5, no. 3 [1 February 1844]: 427; quoted in Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Smith,  273).

See the complete list of abbreviations here

Kevin J Worthen, president of Brigham Young University, delivered this devotional address on January 12, 2021.

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The power of unity and why God calls us to be one

The God we serve is a God of unity who desires that His church live in unity and harmony built on the foundation that is Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who draws us together and the power of the Holy Spirit that make our bond stronger.

Churches today have a lot of values. Some churches value doctrine, political correctness, events, programmes, social responsibility or discipleship. And it's not that these things are not important, but God declares that in His kingdom, nothing is as important as being united in love.

God calls the church to be a vibrant and powerful one that bears much fruit and the way we do that is by working together in perfect unity, not in perfect doctrine, perfect systems, perfect worship services or perfect leadership. That's why we are likened to a body - because what gets things done is unity in diversity. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."

God stands and affirms the power of unity in getting things done. In Genesis 11:6 the Lord spoke of the power of the people of Babel saying, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them."

These people were united for the wrong reasons, and yet God acknowledged what ability they had. Imagine what we can do if we are united for the right reasons. That's why the first thing that God did upon the establishment of the early church was give people a united language. In Acts 2:8-11, the Holy Spirit empowered the believers to once again speak the same language:

"And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

Unity is vital to building strong and vibrant churches. Today, the body of Christ is plagued by church splits and denomination splits all in the name of truth. But is the truth something that is to bring division within the body of believers? I believe that the truth, once centralised on the person of Jesus Christ, will bring unity and not division. The truth of God's Word should bring oneness and not categorisation amongst us.

The enemy we fight finds no initimidation in a church that is fighting with one another. What threatens Satan is a force built on one foundation and brought closer together by the love of God. That's why God calls us to love one another over and over again in scripture. He values unity and He values relationships built within the parameters of His church.

God is looking to build a church where everyone values relational unity, and the way we achieve that unity is by being united under one banner. There is no other banner that must be lifted high in God's house than the banner of Jesus' name. There is power in being brought together in Jesus' name, and when we are united in Jesus, nothing that we propose to do will be impossible for us.

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You are here, recent articles, from the series: john previous page | next page, lesson 91: understanding christian unity (john 17:20-23).

May 10, 2015

Our subject is Christian unity: Jesus hits it three times in these four verses (John 17:21, 22, 23), so we can’t miss it. Ironically, there are widespread differences of opinion on the subject of unity among those who profess to follow Christ. This is evident by the fact that there are approximately 40,000 Christian denominations, and the number grows annually.

When the subject of unity comes up, I always think of the familiar chorus, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,” and why I can’t stand that song. First, the song comes out of the Catholic Charismatic movement, which taints it with all sorts of serious doctrinal problems. Are we really “one” with every group that claims to be Christian, even if they claim that we must add our good works to faith in Christ to be saved? That’s the issue that Paul confronts in Galatians. The Judaizers claimed to believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they also insisted that in addition to faith a man must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul didn’t say, “Let’s set aside the areas where we don’t agree and come together where we do agree.” He said, rather, that those teaching this false gospel were accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

A second reason I dislike that chorus is more personal. When I was in Coast Guard boot camp, as far as I could tell, none of my fellow recruits in my company were believers. They consistently used foul speech and bragged about their sexual exploits. But every week, they’d march to the chapel and join together, under the liberal chaplain, singing, “We are one in the Spirit.” I attended once, but after what I saw and heard, I couldn’t go again. I’d take my Bible and sit outside the chapel and read, while I listened to them proclaim their unity in Christ. So now you know why that won’t be our closing song today!

I want to try to help you understand what true Christian unity is by answering three questions: What is Christian unity? Why is it important? How is it expressed? To sum up:

Christian unity is based on shared life in Christ; is a major source for witness to the world; and is expressed through common love, purpose, and mission.

What is Christian unity?

1. Christian unity is not organization or external, but rather is based on shared life in Jesus Christ.

It is important to understand that there are two types of unity in the Bible. In Ephesians 4:3, Paul says that we are to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The unity of the Spirit is already a fact for believers, but we must be diligent to preserve it. Then in Ephesians 4:13, after talking about the ministry of pastors and teachers who equip the saints for the work of ministry, Paul adds, “… until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” This unity of the faith is not yet a reality, but is attained to as we grow to maturity in Christ. (See, also, Eph. 2:14-22.) We might call these “positional unity,” which is a fact; and “practical unity,” which is a work in progress.

We see the same thing in our text: In verses 21 & 22, Jesus prays that those who believe in Him would be one, even as He and the Father are one. That prayer was answered when the Holy Spirit baptized all believers into the one body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Yet Jesus also prays that believers may be “perfected in unity” (John 17:23), which implies a process of growth. So it’s much like sanctification: We are positionally sanctified in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; 6:11); yet, we must grow in sanctification (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:3).

A. Christian unity is not organizational or external unity.

1) christian unity is not denominational unity..

Organizations such as the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches are prominent in promoting organizational or external unity among various denominations. The idea is to set aside the areas we differ and come together on common ground. But both councils are notoriously theologically and politically liberal and inclusive of denominations that deny or compromise the gospel. Christ was not praying for a one-world church organized under one leader and church government.

2) Christian unity is not uniformity.

Being one body in Christ does not mean that we all must look alike, talk alike, and enjoy the same kinds of activities. Back in the early 1970’s, I knew many “hippie” young people who got swept up in the “Local Church” movement under the Chinese leader, Witness Lee. Overnight, they cut off their long hair and beards and started wearing white shirts with narrow black ties, just as Witness Lee did. They even gestured and sounded like him when they talked. It was kind of eerie, but it had nothing to do with true Christian unity! The very analogy of being members of Christ’s body implies that all the members do not look the same or serve the same function. The beauty of the body is that it functions as one body although it consists of many different members.

3) Christian unity is not unanimity on every doctrine.

We need to think carefully here! There are three broad levels of Bible doctrines: (1) Essential truths, necessary for salvation. To deny any of these would be heresy and a denial of the faith. All true Christians agree on these truths. These include: The inspiration and authority of Scripture; the Trinity; the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ; His substitutionary death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His bodily second coming; and, salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works.

(2) Important, but non-saving, truth. These truths affect how we live as Christians, the way we understand God, man, salvation, the Christian life, etc. But genuine believers differ on these matters. Some examples: Biblical prophecy; Calvinism vs. Arminianism; views of baptism; charismatic gifts; roles of men and women in the church and home; church government; Christians and psychology; and, views of creation. Some of these issues are more important in that they border on essential doctrines ( e.g., some issues in Calvinism vs. Arminianism deal with salvation and the gospel). So there are gray areas between each of the categories.

(3) Interesting, but not essential or important matters. These issues won’t affect the way you live your Christian life. They include minor interpretive issues on difficult texts; some methods that are not mandated by Scripture; and other issues. For example: Who were the sons of God in Genesis 6? When does the battle in Ezekiel 38 take place? Did Christ descend into hell (1 Pet. 3:19-20)?

So it’s important to discern the level of importance of a doctrine before you debate it with another Christian or divide from him over it. Paul instructs Timothy (1 Tim. 1:4-5) not to pay attention to myths or endless genealogies, which only give rise to speculation, but to focus on teaching that leads to love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Christian unity is not organizational or external unity. Then, what is it?

B. Christian unity is based on shared life through faith in Christ through the apostolic witness to Him.

If you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, then He is praying for you in these verses. He says (John 17:20), “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word.” Note two things:

1) Christian unity is based on our common salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is not praying for the entire world here (John 17:9). He is not praying for inter-faith unity among all Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims, as promoted by many inter-faith prayer services this past week. Rather, He is praying specifically for those who believe in Him through the apostles’ word. That word is recorded for us in the New Testament, which the Holy Spirit inspired them to write (John 14:26; 16:13, 14).

The core message of the apostolic witness centers on salvation through faith in the life, substitutionary death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we saw (John 1:12-13), “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” The new birth is the basis of our unity in Christ.

Jesus compares this unity with that which exists between Him and the Father (John 17:21): “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, …” Jesus and the Father are eternally one in their shared nature as God. When we are born again and become children of God, we share in the divine nature (John 1:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:4). So in this sense, Jesus’ prayer was answered on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came on all believers, uniting them in the one body of Christ. Since then, all who believe the apostolic witness to Christ share new life in Him (1 Cor. 12:13): “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” This is the unity of the Spirit that Paul talks about (Eph. 4:3). It is a fact, and yet we must be diligent to preserve it.

2) Christian unity is based on our common glory in Jesus Christ.

Jesus prays (John 17:22), “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.” What does Jesus mean? Godly commentators differ, so I can’t be dogmatic. We know that Christ has an incommunicable glory, which He did not receive and He does not bestow. In that sense, God does not share His glory with anyone (Isa. 42:8). But we can piece together several verses that steer us in the right direction. John (1:14) testifies, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Then John 1:16 adds, “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” So in part, the glory that Christ has given us is the glory of our salvation, received and sustained by abundant grace.

Also, for Christ, the epitome of His glory was displayed at the cross (John 12:28; 13:31-32), which supremely shows His love, justice, holiness, and grace. This leads Leon Morris ( The Gospel According to John [Eerdmans], p. 734) to interpret the glory that He gives to all of His disciples: “… just as His true glory was to follow the path of lowly service culminating in the cross, so for them the true glory lay in the path of lowly service wherever it might lead them.” (D. A. Carson, The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus [Baker], p. 198, concurs.) Morris (p. 735) and Carson ( ibid .) cite William Barclay ( The Gospel of John [Westminster], 2:219):

We must never think of our cross as our penalty; we must think of it as our glory…. The harder the task we give a student, or a craftsman, or a surgeon, the more we honour him…. So when it is hard to be a Christian, we must regard it as our glory, as our honour given to us by God.

Also, Jesus explains what this glory entails in John 17:23: “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” There are two parts to this: First, “I in them and You in Me” points to Christ’s indwelling us through the Holy Spirit, who is given to all who believe. Through the Spirit, the triune God dwells in every believer! Even though the world may not see it very clearly, as we are perfected in unity, they will get a glimpse of the glory of God ( e.g. the fruit of the Spirit) in us.

Second, Jesus says that the Father has loved us, even as He has loved Jesus! What a staggering statement! The love of the Father for the Son is eternal and infinite. There is no way to measure it. It surpasses all comprehension (Eph. 3:18). The best picture we have of the Father’s love for us is when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Have you experienced the love of God for you in Christ at the cross? That love is your glory and the common glory of every true believer. It brings us together into the one worldwide family of God. Our unity is based on our common salvation in Christ and our common glory in Christ.

Why is Christian unity important?

2. Christian unity is important because it is a major factor in our witness to the world, so that they may believe in Jesus Christ.

Jesus mentions this twice: In John 17:21, He prays that we all may be one … “so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” In verse 23, He prays that we may be perfected in unity “so that the world may know that You sent Me.” Note that faith is not nebulous or subjective. Rather, faith centers on the truth that the Father sent Jesus, His Son, to earth. As John repeatedly emphasizes, He sent Him to be the Savior of all who believe in Him. But, how can the world believe in Jesus? Paul explains (Rom. 10:14-15),

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “ How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things !”

We are often the only Bible that people read. By our godly lives, by our verbal witness to the person and work of Christ, and by our visible unity with all true believers, we proclaim to the world the truth that God sent His Son to pay for the sins and give eternal life to all that believe (John 3:16). That leads to the third question:

How is Christian unity expressed?

3. Christian unity is expressed by believers’ common love, common purpose, and common mission.

A. christian unity is expressed by believers’ common love..

Jesus makes the staggering statement that the Father has loved us even as He loved Jesus! While we will spend eternity trying to fathom the depths of the Father’s love for us, it should be increasingly influencing our daily lives. Perhaps it is nowhere expressed more eloquently than in Paul’s conclusion of Romans 8, where he says that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I remember holding our firstborn child in my arms and feeling my love for her well up as I gazed into her tiny face. Suddenly, it dawned on me, “My parents must love me as much as I love my baby daughter!” Then it further hit me, “The heavenly Father loves me far more than any earthly father can love his children!”

John applies this wonderful truth (1 John 4:11): “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” The logic of that is so simple, and yet it is often so difficult to obey! But after loving God, the second great commandment is that we love others even as we do in fact love ourselves (Matt. 22:39).

It’s relatively easy to love folks who are just like you. But the church is to show Christ’s love across racial, cultural, generational, and economic divides as we worship together and care for one another. There was no greater divide in Paul’s day than that between Jews and Gentiles. But Paul emphasized that the glory of the church is that Christ removed the barrier between those two diverse groups and made them one (Eph. 2:14-22). He insists (Col. 3:11) that in the church, “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” When people who are divided in the world display their love for one another in the local church, the world takes notice.

In the early 1970’s, I had the privilege of visiting the “Body Life” service at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, where the late Ray Stedman was the pastor. There were little white-haired ladies sitting next to long-haired hippies. Through the stories shared, it was evident that although they were from very different segments of American life, both sides loved each other. That display of Christ’s love resulted in many unbelievers coming to see what was going on and eventually coming to faith in Christ.

B. Christian unity is expressed by believers’ common purpose.

Although we have different gifts and different callings, our common purpose is to glorify God in all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31). We glorify Him by living in obedience to His commands and by bearing much fruit (John 15:8, 10). We glorify Him as we are more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

C. Christian unity is expressed by believers’ common mission.

In urging the Philippian church toward unity, Paul put it like this (Phil. 1:27): “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Our common mission is to fulfill the Great Commission, to make disciples of all the nations (Matt. 28:19). Again, while we may differ with other believers over secondary matters, as long as they proclaim the truth of the gospel, we should rejoice that Christ is being proclaimed (Phil. 1:15-18).

I could spend several more messages on some of the practical ramifications of our Lord’s teaching here, but I’ll try to list a couple of things that you can explore further (see, also, my article on the church web site, “Separation Versus Cooperation”).

First, while we must strive to love and accept all whom Christ has truly saved, we also must be careful not to compromise essential biblical truth. The more common danger, I think, is not the failure to love, but rather the failure to hold to sound doctrine. This was illustrated in the “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” statement that was signed by many prominent Christian leaders in the 1990’s. That statement confused and compromised the essential truth of the Reformation, that we are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone, apart from works. The Catholic Church teaches that we must add our own works or merit to God’s grace to be saved. But that’s the same as the Galatian heresy. We are not one with those who deny the apostolic gospel. As I said, Paul did not come together on common ground with the Judaizers. Neither should we!

Second, while we need walls of separation both as individuals and as a church, those walls may be different on the individual and corporate levels. For example, if in private conversation with a Roman Catholic priest, I determine that he truly has trusted in Christ as his Savior and is not trusting in his own good works, I can have a degree of fellowship with him based on our common salvation. Of course, as our relationship deepened, I would challenge him to leave his affiliation with an apostate church.

But I could never do anything publicly to imply that our church is one with the Roman Catholic Church. I would never endorse a unity or prayer service that included churches that deny the gospel. New life in Christ is the only basis for true unity. Let’s pray for discernment and graciously strive for unity and love with all that know Christ without compromising the gospel or minimizing important truth!

Application Questions

• Have you struggled on the personal level with where to draw lines of fellowship? How did you sort through the issues?
• Should an evangelical church work with a church that denies the gospel to help prevent abortions? Why/why not?
• How do we determine where to draw doctrinal lines for church membership without becoming divisive?
• How do we determine which doctrines are essential and which are important, but not essential? What criteria apply?

Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2015, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition © The Lockman Foundation

Our mission is to help and serve through prayer, publishing, and community.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Message of Love

By marchel alverson.

King inspired a life of action in Hawkins. She says she felt an obligation to do her best because Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified such greatness.

“But, my father, like Dr. King, showed me the importance of loving your enemies. Above all, they preached the word of love.”

“He poured out his heart every single time.”

“One of the refrains from a song Dr. King loved was that my living will not be in vain. He lived that.”

Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity

By Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

At this 200-year hinge point in our Church history, let us commit ourselves to live righteously and be united as never before.

Righteousness and unity are profoundly significant. 1 When people love God with all their hearts and righteously strive to become like Him, there is less strife and contention in society. There is more unity. I love a true account that exemplifies this.

As a young man not of our faith, General Thomas L. Kane assisted and defended the Saints as they were required to flee Nauvoo. He was an advocate for the Church for many years. 2

In 1872, General Kane, his talented wife, Elizabeth Wood Kane, and their two sons traveled from their home in Pennsylvania to Salt Lake City. They accompanied Brigham Young and his associates on a trek south to St. George, Utah. Elizabeth approached her first visit to Utah with reservations about the women. She was surprised by some of the things she learned. For instance, she found that any career by which a woman could earn a living was open to them in Utah. 3 She also found Church members were kind and understanding with respect to Native Americans. 4

During the trip they stayed in Fillmore at the home of Thomas R. and Matilda Robison King. 5

Elizabeth wrote that as Matilda was preparing a meal for President Young and his company, five American Indians came into the room. Although uninvited, it was clear they expected to join the company. Sister King spoke to them “in their dialect.” They sat down with their blankets with a pleasant look on their faces. Elizabeth asked one of the King children, “What did your mother say to those men?”

Matilda’s son’s reply was, “She said ‘These strangers came first, and I have only cooked enough for them; but your meal is on the fire cooking now, and I will call you as soon as it is ready.’”

Elizabeth asked, “Will she really do that, or just give them scraps at the kitchen-door?” 6

Matilda’s son answered, “Mother will serve them just as she does you, and give them a place at her table.”

And so she did, and “they ate with perfect propriety.” Elizabeth explained that this hostess rose 100 percent in her opinion. 7 Unity is enhanced when people are treated with dignity and respect, even though they are different in outward characteristics.

As leaders, we are not under the illusion that in the past all relationships were perfect, all conduct was Christlike, or all decisions were just. However, our faith teaches that we are all children of our Father in Heaven, and we worship Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Savior. Our desire is that our hearts and minds will be knit in righteousness and unity and that we will be one with Them. 8

Righteousness is a broad, comprehensive term but most certainly includes living God’s commandments. 9 It qualifies us for the sacred ordinances that constitute the covenant path and blesses us to have the Spirit give direction to our lives. 10

Being righteous is not dependent on each of us having every blessing in our lives at this time. We may not be married or blessed with children or have other desired blessings now. But the Lord has promised that the righteous who are faithful “may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.” 11

Unity is also a broad, comprehensive term but most certainly exemplifies the first and second great commandments to love God and love our fellowmen. 12 It denotes a Zion people whose hearts and minds are “knit together in unity.” 13

The context for my message is the contrast and lessons from sacred scriptures.

It has been 200 years since the Father and His Son first appeared and commenced the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in 1820. The account in 4 Nephi in the Book of Mormon includes a similar 200-year period after the Savior appeared and established His Church in ancient America.

The historical record we read in 4 Nephi describes a people where there were no envyings, strifes, tumults, lyings, murders, or any manner of lasciviousness. Because of this righteousness, the record states, “surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.” 14

With respect to unity, 4 Nephi reads, “There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” 15

Unfortunately, 4 Nephi then describes a dramatic change that began in the “two hundred and first year,” 16 when iniquity and division destroyed righteousness and unity. The depths of depravity that then occurred were subsequently so evil that ultimately the great prophet Mormon laments to his son Moroni:

“But O my son, how can a people like this, whose delight is in so much abomination—

“How can we expect that God will stay his hand in judgment against us?” 17

In this dispensation, although we live in a special time, the world has not been blessed with the righteousness and unity described in 4 Nephi. Indeed, we live in a moment of particularly strong divisions. However, the millions who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ have committed themselves to achieving both righteousness and unity. We are all aware that we can do better, and that is our challenge in this day. We can be a force to lift and bless society as a whole. At this 200-year hinge point in our Church history, let us commit ourselves as members of the Lord’s Church to live righteously and be united as never before. President Russell M. Nelson has asked us “to demonstrate greater civility, racial and ethnic harmony and mutual respect.” 18 This means loving each other and God and accepting everyone as brothers and sisters and truly being a Zion people.

With our all-inclusive doctrine, we can be an oasis of unity and celebrate diversity. Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity. During the period I served in the San Francisco California Stake presidency, we had Spanish-, Tongan-, Samoan-, Tagalog-, and Mandarin-language-speaking congregations. Our English-speaking wards were composed of people from many racial and cultural backgrounds. There was love, righteousness, and unity.

Wards and branches in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are determined by geography or language, 19 not by race or culture. Race is not identified on membership records.

Early in the Book of Mormon, approximately 550 years before the birth of Christ, we are taught the fundamental commandment regarding the relationship between Father in Heaven’s children. All are to keep the Lord’s commandments, and all are invited to partake of the Lord’s goodness; “and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” 20

The Savior’s ministry and message have consistently declared all races and colors are children of God. We are all brothers and sisters. In our doctrine we believe that in the host country for the Restoration, the United States, the U.S. Constitution 21 and related documents, 22 written by imperfect men, were inspired by God to bless all people. As we read in the Doctrine and Covenants, these documents were “established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.” 23 Two of these principles were agency and accountability for one’s own sins. The Lord declared:

“Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.

“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” 24

This revelation was received in 1833 when the Saints in Missouri were suffering great persecution. The heading to Doctrine and Covenants section 101 reads in part: “Mobs had driven them from their homes in Jackson County. … Threats of death against [members] of the Church were many.” 25

This was a time of tension on several fronts. Many Missourians considered Native Americans a relentless enemy and wanted them removed from the land. In addition, many of the Missouri settlers were slave owners and felt threatened by those who were opposed to slavery.

In contrast, our doctrine respected the Native Americans, and our desire was to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. With respect to slavery, our scriptures had made it clear that no man should be in bondage to another. 26

Ultimately, the Saints were violently driven out of Missouri 27 and then forced to move to the West. 28 The Saints prospered and found the peace that accompanies righteousness, unity, and living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I rejoice in the Savior’s Intercessory Prayer recorded in the Gospel of John. The Savior acknowledged that the Father had sent Him and that He, the Savior, had finished the work He was sent to do. He prayed for His disciples and for those who would believe in Christ: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” 29 Oneness is what Christ prayed for prior to His betrayal and Crucifixion.

In the first year after the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, recorded in section 38 of the Doctrine and Covenants , the Lord speaks of wars and wickedness and declares, “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” 30

Our Church culture comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans is profound. 31 The early Church in Rome was composed of Jews and Gentiles. These early Jews had a Judaic culture and had “won their emancipation, and began to multiply and flourish.” 32

The Gentiles in Rome had a culture with a significant Hellenistic influence, which the Apostle Paul understood well because of his experiences at Athens and Corinth.

Paul sets forth the gospel of Jesus Christ in a comprehensive fashion. He chronicles pertinent aspects of both Judaic and Gentile culture 33 that conflict with the true gospel of Jesus Christ. He essentially asks each of them to leave behind cultural impediments from their beliefs and culture that are not consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul admonishes the Jews and the Gentiles to keep the commandments and love one another and affirms that righteousness leads to salvation. 34

The culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Gentile culture or a Judaic culture. It is not determined by the color of one’s skin or where one lives. While we rejoice in distinctive cultures, we should leave behind aspects of those cultures that conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our members and new converts often come from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. If we are to follow President Nelson’s admonition to gather scattered Israel, we will find we are as different as the Jews and Gentiles were in Paul’s time. Yet we can be united in our love of and faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans establishes the principle that we follow the culture and doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the model for us even today. 35 The ordinances of the temple unite us in special ways and allow us to be one in every eternally significant way.

We honor our pioneer members across the world not because they were perfect but because they overcame hardships, made sacrifices, aspired to be Christlike, and were striving to build faith and be one with the Savior. Their oneness with the Savior made them one with each other. This principle is true for you and me today.

The clarion call to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to strive to be a Zion people who are of one heart and one mind and dwell in righteousness. 36

It is my prayer that we will be righteous and united and completely focused on serving and worshipping our Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom I testify. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Speech On Unity for Students and Children

Speech on unity.

Unity is an important element for the society we live in, as we all together form this whole nation. “Strength is always with the Unity” is a well-known phrase and it is totally true. Unity represents togetherness and being there for each other like we all are one. Therefore, in unity, everyone stands together for every big and small problem. There are several stories as well as there are many real-life incidences that are proof that unity always leads a harmonious and satisfying life for everyone. On the other hand, many people still don’t get the benefits and concepts of unity. People fight over insignificant and stupid things and in the end, they end up with loneliness and emptiness. Read speech on Unity here.

Help and Support: People help and support each other. On the other hand, living in separation can make anyone feel insecure and shy and that’s not a good thing to happen to anyone.

Good Guidance: It is a true fact that when we stay in unity then we may get guidance from others, for both personal and professional matters including the solutions also.

Proper Growth: Staying in unity is always good for our growth and as well as for the development of the nation. Moreover, it is also good for the members of the family in particular and all-round development of the kids.

Source of Motivation: When we work or perform any task together, we get motivated and encouraged to work harder with each other. Also, we motivate each other to achieve the goals and this teamwork results in a great motivational factor.

Greater Accomplishment: Whenever we work together as a team, we easily accomplish superior goals which are sometimes not possible alone.

Fighting a Mission: Fighting any mission becomes much easier when we have a number of people involved in the mission. The Indian national movement for freedom is the best example of unity. Many unfair practices have been fought and removed in the past only because of the unity among the people.

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Role of Government in the Development of Unity

Unity can only be achieved when an individual is ready to sacrifice his/her individual interests and work for the betterment of the country as a whole with coordination. Undoubtedly the spirit of unity should be inborn. The government can play an essential role in the process of building unity among the public. Few steps by which we can achieve unity are as follows:

End Corruption: A nation can never be wealthy and in a better condition if it’s political system is full of corruption. So, we should choose the political leaders with the utmost care and analysis.

Lower Economic Disparity : There is a lot of economic disparity present in our nation. As we all can see that rich people are becoming richer day by day and the poor people are getting even poorer.

The word unity is a five-letter word but has a huge meaning that we all should know. Unity is the need of the hour. In every country, people need unity to survive. If people will not unite, they will become weak alone and then they will be facing a lot of problems. A group of people is always greater than a single person that is alone, in all means.

We should always help and support other people who need help and we should always stand together in every situation. People help someone only when they get help from that person in their good or bad times. So, we should coordinate with each other and always stay united. Unity is something that makes the weaker one strong.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes About Unity

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Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

I was convinced that worship at its best is a social experience with people of all levels of life coming together to realize their oneness and unity under God. Whenever the church, consciously or unconsciously, caters to one class it loses the spiritual force of the "whosoever will, let him come, doctrine and is in danger of becoming a little more than a social club with a thin veneer of religiosity."

Unity has never meant uniformity.

Hate is just as injurious to the hater as it is to the hated. Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Many of our inner conflicts are rooted in hate. This is why the psychiatrists say, "Love or perish." Hate is too great a burden to bear.

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity.

I do think there must be centralized leadership in the sense that, say, in our struggle all of the leaders coordinate their efforts, cooperate and, and at least evince a degree of unity.

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Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Born: January 15, 1929
• Died: April 4, 1968
• Occupation: Civil rights activist
• Cite this Page: Citation

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Unity Requires Love

Injustice, hate crimes, prejudice, biases, discrimination, conflict, deceitfulness …these are the ways of our world. The Bible warned us we would have trouble in the world, and reminds of the sin running rampant in it …but it still makes me sad. I can’t image the gravity to which it grieves the heart of God to see His children, created to live in harmony, tearing each other a part. Paul wrote to the Ephesians of unity in the church, and within the body of Christ we are taking swings at each other. It’s hard to camp out in anyone’s corner when no one seems to be getting along.

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Jesus is Lord of all. A body of believers united in the hope of eternal life moves, grows and matures over time. Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Let us determine to choose unity and love over conflict and comparison. We can choose to tap into the power of Christ in us through the Holy Spirit to accomplish more for the Kingdom of God together than we ever could on our own. Injustice, hate crimes, prejudice, biases, discrimination, conflict, deceitfulness …and all of the things wrong with the world cannot be solved completely until the day Christ returns to set all wrongs right. We can let that discourage us, or choose to remember the power in us to make progress with the Gospel truth regardless of the chaos surrounding us. The real mission is love, unity, and oneness. Jesus told us to “go!” His command to love others should be the only thing that matters as a church.

One body. 

One Spirit.

One baptism.

One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

As if each attribute isn’t powerful on its own and together, we are reminded that God the Father is over all and through all and in all. Through Christ, He is completely accessible all of the time. His love for us never, ever fades. We are always forgiven by God. Everything He allows and does is meant to draw us back to Him. We are His children, His beloved. At the end of the day – at the end of it all – what will matter the most are hearts won for Christ. He doesn’t have to involve us in His plan, but He loves to thrill us, to bless us. Glory to God in the Highest, who’s ways are not our ways, thoughts are not our thoughts, and plans for our lives are more than we can ask for or imagine. Hallelujah Jesus, who died to give us life to the full.

NIV Study Bible , Copyright © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2011 by Zondervan.

The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers. Copyright 2014.

More from this author God's Timing Is Better Than Our Planning Watching Our Children Walking in Truth 3 Daily Habits to Filter Your Life Through Jesus’ Love

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Unity and the Power of Love

A sufi teaching.

Unity holds the essential vision that we are one living, interconnected ecosystem—a living Earth that supports and nourishes all of its inhabitants. If we acknowledge and honor this simple reality, we can begin to participate in the vital work of healing our fractured and divisive world and embrace a consciousness of oneness that is our human heritage. This is the opportunity that is being offered to us, even as its dark twin is constellating the dynamics of nationalism, tribalism, isolationism, and all the other regressive forces that express ‘me’ rather than ‘we.’

Oneness is not a metaphysical idea but something essential and ordinary. It is in every breath, in the wing-beat of every butterfly, in every piece of garbage left on city streets. This oneness is life—life no longer experienced solely through the fragmented vision of the ego, through the distortions of our culture, but known within the heart, felt in the soul. This oneness is the heartbeat of life. It is for each of us to live and celebrate this oneness, to participate in its beauty and wonder. And through our awareness, and actions born of this awareness, we can help to reconnect our world with its original nature.

There are many ways to experience and participate in this living oneness. But if I have learned anything after half a century of spiritual practice, it is the power of love. Love comes in so many forms and expressions. There are the simple acts of loving kindness towards friends and family, members of our community, or strangers. Love reaches across boundaries, expressing what is most essential and human: what unites rather than divides. “Small things with great love,” are more potent and powerful than we realize, because they reconnect us with the spiritual roots of life and its transformative and healing energies. Because life is an expression of love, each act of love is a participation and gift to the whole.

Cooking a meal with love and care, listening to another’s troubles with an open heart, touching your lover’s body with tenderness, or going deep in prayer until you merge in love’s infinite ocean—in all these acts, we live the love that unites us. And through our loving, we nourish life in unseen ways.

And at this time of ecological crisis, as we are tearing apart the fragile web of life, there is a vital need for us to love the Earth, to bring her into our hearts and prayers. We have a spiritual as well as a physical responsibility for ‘our common home,’ and she is calling out to us, crying for our help and healing. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:

Real change will only happen when we fall in love with our planet. Only love can show us how to live in harmony with nature and with each other and save us from the devastating effects of environmental destruction and climate change.

We need to reawaken to the power of love in the world. It is our love for the Earth that will heal what we have desecrated, that will guide us through this wasteland and help us to bring light back into our darkening world. Love links us all together in the most mysterious ways, and love can guide our hearts and hands. The central note of love is oneness. Love speaks the language of oneness, of unity rather than separation.

Love can open us to our deep participation in the life of the whole; it can teach us once again how to listen to life, feel life’s heartbeat, sense its soul. It can open us to the sacred within all of creation and can reconnect us with our primal knowing that the Divine is present in everything—in every breath, every stone, every animate and inanimate thing. In the oneness of love, everything is included, and everything is sacred.

And from there, we can begin to respond. We cannot return to the simplicity of an indigenous lifestyle, but when we let love guide us we can become more aware of the oneness of life and recognize that how we are and what we do at an individual level affects the global environment, both outer and inner. We can learn how to live in a more sustainable way, according to a deeper understanding of sustainability that rests on an acknowledgment of the sacred within creation. We can live more simply, saying no to unnecessary material things in our outer lives. We can also work inwardly to heal the spiritual imbalance in the world. Our individual conscious awareness of the sacred within creation reconnects the split between spirit and matter within our own soul, and also—because we are so much more a part of the spiritual body of the Earth than we realize—within the soul of the world.

Love is the most powerful force in the universe. Love draws us back to love, love uncovers love, love makes us whole, and love takes us Home. In the depths of the soul we are loved by God. This is the deepest secret of being human, the bond of love that is at the core of our being and belongs to all that exists. And the more we live this love, the more we give ourself to this mystery that is both human and divine, the more fully we participate in life as it really is, in its wonder and moment by moment revelation.

Love and care—care for each other, care for the Earth—are the simplest and most valuable human qualities. And love belongs to oneness. We know this in our human relationships, how love draws us closer, and in its most intimate moments we can experience physical union with another. It can also awaken us to the awareness that we are one human family, even as our rulers become more authoritarian, our politics more divisive. And on the deepest level, love can reconnect us with our essential unity with all of life, with the Earth herself.

The Earth is a living oneness born from love, being remade by love each instant. And we can be part of its spiritual transformation, its awakening. The Earth is waiting and needing our participation. It has been wounded by our greed and exploitation, and by our forgetfulness of its sacred nature. It needs us to remember and reconnect, to live the oneness that is our true nature. And love is the simplest key to this oneness, this remembrance. Love is the most ordinary, simplest, and most direct way to uncover what is real—the innermost secrets of life. It is at the root of all that exists, as well as in every bud breaking open at springtime, every fruit ripening in fall.

Love will remind us that we are a part of life—that we belong to each other and to this living, suffering planet. Love will reconnect us to the sacred ways known to our ancestors, as well as awaken us to new ways to be with each other and the Earth. We just need to say, “Yes,” to this mystery within our own hearts, to open to the link of love that unites us all, that is woven into the web of life. And then we will uncover the love affair that is life itself and hear the song of unity as it comes alive in our hearts and the heart of the world.

About Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee is Sufi teacher and author. He has authored a recent podcast, Stories for a Living Future .

The focus of his writing and teaching is on spiritual responsibility in our present time of transition, spiritual ecology and an awakening global consciousness of oneness. His many books include Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth  and  Including the Earth in Our Prayers: A Global Dimension to Spiritual Practice .

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40 Inspirational Quotes About Unity And Togetherness

The greatest strength of mankind rests in steadfast unity.

Jorie Nicole McDonald leads editorial video efforts for Southern Living. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she creates engaging visual content for the website and various social media platforms.

Familial ties are restored, sports teams are victorious, and friendships are strengthened when unity is a priority. And inspirational leaders and thinkers tend to agree. These unity quotes are sure to motivate and encourage you to strive for togetherness whenever possible. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it this way, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." True unity is experienced and strived for in a number of ways. Read through this collection of moving quotes and sayings by people who truly believed in communal harmony and choose the one that speaks to you.

Quotes On Unity And Hope

• Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking. – Mahatma Gandhi
• The significance which is in unity is an eternal wonder. – Rabindranath Tagore
• There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people. – Lailah Gifty Akita
• Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. - Ryunosuke Satoro
• The best way to predict the future is to create it together. - Joe Echevarria
• Behold how good and beautiful it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. - Philip Bernstein
• The true self in unity with God always emanates from the interior of the heart. - Peter N. Borys
• Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

Quotes About Strength In Unity

• Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. - Stephen Covey
• We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond. – Gwendolyn Brooks
• When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion. - Unknown
• Unity is strength, division is weakness. – Unknown
• Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. – Mattie Stepanek
• Even the weak become strong when they are united. – Friedrich von Schiller
• Where there is unity there is always victory. – Publilius Syrus
• We rise by lifting others. Robert Ingersoll

Channeling Unity For Life’s Purpose

• When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. – Winston S. Churchill
• For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack. – Rudyard Kipling
• You don't get unity by ignoring the questions that have to be faced. – Jay Weatherill
• We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. – Martin Luther King, Jr .
• I truly believe when we stand together we stand a chance. - Korie Robertson
• If what is more self-sufficient is more choiceworthy, then what has less unity is more choiceworthy than what has more unity - Aristotle
• Unity is not equal to being, but is the unifying principle of being. - Marsilio Ficino
• Together we can do great things. - Mother Teresa

Embracing Togetherness And Unity

• Unity without verity is no better than conspiracy. – John Trapp
• Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all. – Alexander The Great
• No doubt, unity is something to be desired, to be striven for, but it cannot be willed by mere declarations. – Theodore Bikel
• It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit. - Harry Truman
• If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. - Henry Ford
• United, we will achieve lasting change, peace through strength, and prosperity like never before. - A.E. Karpovich
• Also unity is not absence of disagreement but a consensus to agree to work together. - Ian Traill D.Min
• There is unity in diversity, there is diversity in unity. - Henry Tullidge

Leaning On Unity In Dark Times

• We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end. – Woodrow T. Wilson
• So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. – Baha'U'Llah
• Unity is vision; it must have been part of the process of learning to see. – Henry Adams
• Unity should be real. Deception and intrigues have no place in true unity. - Pratheek Praveen Kumar
• Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. - Henry Ford
• I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. – Abraham Lincoln
• There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. – Margaret Wheatley
• You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. – Desmond Tutu

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100 Bible Verses about Unity In The Church

1 corinthians 1:10 esv / 861 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:3 ESV / 548 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 478 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV / 463 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

1 Peter 3:8 ESV / 387 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV / 351 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

John 17:21 ESV / 334 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:23 ESV / 298 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 283 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV / 262 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

Colossians 3:14 ESV / 257 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Romans 12:4-5 ESV / 248 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Ephesians 4:13 ESV / 245 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Romans 12:16 ESV / 237 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Philippians 1:27 ESV / 217 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Philippians 2:2 ESV / 216 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 210 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

1 Corinthians 1:10-12 ESV / 206 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

Philippians 2:1-3 ESV / 196 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 187 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Acts 4:32 ESV / 187 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Ephesians 4:4 ESV / 183 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Romans 15:5 ESV / 181 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:5-6 ESV / 168 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 14:19 ESV / 167 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV / 166 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

Psalm 133:1-3 ESV / 164 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Amos 3:3 ESV / 163 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Ephesians 4:1 ESV / 162 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 162 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

2 Chronicles 30:12 ESV / 160 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord .

Ephesians 1:10 ESV / 155 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

John 13:35 ESV / 150 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 23:8 ESV / 142 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV / 142 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 17:11 ESV / 140 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Colossians 3:13-14 ESV / 139 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Romans 15:6 ESV / 139 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 139 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 134 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 corinthians 12:13 esv / 130 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Philippians 2:1 ESV / 123 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

1 John 4:12 ESV / 121 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 121 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Ephesians 2:14 ESV / 119 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV / 117 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Ephesians 4:16 ESV / 116 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:5 ESV / 110 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 103 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV / 101 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV / 100 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Romans 12:4 ESV / 99 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 96 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Ezekiel 37:17 ESV / 96 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV / 95 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Galatians 3:26-28 ESV / 91 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:5 ESV / 90 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV / 89 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV / 89 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 86 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

1 John 4:20 ESV / 83 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 83 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Colossians 3:15 ESV / 81 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:13 ESV / 81 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Philippians 4:2 ESV / 81 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Malachi 2:10 ESV / 80 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Ephesians 4:23 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 78 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 75 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ...

Jude 1:3 ESV / 74 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 74 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Ephesians 4:6 ESV / 73 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 2:1-22 ESV / 73 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ...

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

John 17:20 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

John 17:20-23 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV / 70 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 17:21-23 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Colossians 3:11 ESV / 66 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 66 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 66 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 65 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Acts 2:47 ESV / 65 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 62 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 ESV / 62 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

John 17:17 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:1-26 ESV / 60 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. ...

Galatians 3:26-29 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

James 3:16 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Ephesians 1:3 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 2:12 ESV / 55 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 4:14 ESV / 53 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Romans 14:1 ESV / 53 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Acts 2:46 ESV / 52 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 51 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

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Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles , a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.

65 Important Bible Scriptures on Unity

Here are the 65 most important Bible scriptures on unity.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Philippians 2:2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 12:12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

2 Chronicles 30:12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.

2 John 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Acts 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Acts 8:6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

Amos 3:3 Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Colossians 3:11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ephesians 1:10 As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Ephesians 4:13 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

Ephesians 4:3 Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:11 “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

John 17:20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

John 17:21 “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

John 17:23 “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Matthew 23:8 “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.”

Philippians 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 147:14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:5 So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:6 That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

More Bible Verses that Will Move You 50 Most Powerful Scriptures on Faith 60 Transcendent Verses on Trust 50 Strong Scriptures on Perseverance 68 Powerful Verses on Forgiveness 40 Uplifting Scriptures on Patience

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Unity And Peace In The Communion

Contributed by richard papafio on jul 3, 2019.

In unity and peace there is building and development.

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Topic: *UNITY AND PEACE IN THE COMMUNION* 1 Corinthians 10:16-20, King James Version (KJV) 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16-18

Denomination: Charismatic

Keeping Unity Through Peace Series

Contributed by james dunn on jun 26, 2007.

This is message 7 of a 13 part series taken from the Book of Ephesians describing "The Power of a Blessed Life."

Keeping Unity through Peace Ephesians 4:1-6 Memory Verse: “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1 I. To Keep Peace, We Must Have Love: "…bearing with one another in love…" A. Be Humble. “…be completely humble…” B. Be Gentle. “…and gentle…” C. Be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Church Unity & Peace

Contributed by i. grant spong on oct 25, 2023.

Even the best of churches has challenges to protect unity and peace. Let's find out how in Philippians 4.

Does Paul love the church of God in Philippi? Dear friends, I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy [joy and crown]. (Philippians 4:1 CEV) Can even a wonderful church have some squabbles? What was Paul’s plea to two women? I urge Euodia ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Peace In Unity

Contributed by dr. ronald shultz on feb 26, 2024.

There is no peace in Body because we are divided. No peace and no power.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15 KJV With the myriads of churches of like faith in one community, we can hardly say we are one Body. If the doctrine is the same in ten churches within a few miles of each ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15 , Psalm 133:1-3 , Ephesians 4:1-6 , Ephesians 4:12-14 , 1 Corinthians 1:10-11 , 1 Corinthians 1:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

The Importance Of Unity

Contributed by dr. jonathan vorce on feb 5, 2021.

Unity and Agreement are not the same things. Unity and Union are not the same things. Hopefully, this message will lead you down a Biblical and practical path of instruction that will result in conflicts being resolved and unity being restored in many of God's people!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) 9. Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: 10. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11. Also, if two lies down together, they will keep warm. But how can one ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 , Romans 16:17-18 , 1 Corinthians 1:10 , 1 Corinthians 3:3 , 1 Corinthians 11:18 , Psalm 133:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

What Does Jesus Pray For Us? Series

Contributed by glenn durham on may 22, 2010.

God would have us pray and labor mightily for unity and peace in the church.

Scripture Introduction Whatever Jesus prays for must weigh heavily on the hearts of all true believers. The Beloved Son of the Father in heaven, the second person of the Triune God, the incarnation of Word, the One who lived and died and rose again that those chosen by the Father might know the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Aiming Like Paul

Contributed by troy borst on apr 26, 2006.

Paul commands the Corinthians to aim for perfection, unity, and peace in the church.

AIMING LIKE PAUL 2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13 INTRODUCTION I. The Aim of Perfection One of the first aims that the Apostle Paul commands the Corinthians to shoot for is perfection. Paul says in verse 11, "aim for perfection." The command is one that speaks to the Corinthian Church as well as to our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Contributed by Alvan Lewis on Mar 22, 2021

The path to unity in the church

Unity Our Psalm this morning is Psalm 122. It is one of 15 Psalms that run from 120 to 134 called the Psalms of Accent. They were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made their way up the hills to Jerusalem for the High festivals each year. This one is called a Psalm of Accent written by David. ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Called To Peace And Unity Series

Contributed by christopher holdsworth on dec 25, 2016.

When we enter into fellowship with Jesus, we enter in as part of His church.

IV. PEACE AND UNITY. A. CALLED INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. 1 Corinthians 1:9. We may think that we enter into fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ as so many individuals: but ultimately, we enter in as part of His body, the church. This fellowship begins at conversion, continues in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14 , Ephesians 4:25-32 , Ephesians 4:1-16 , 1 John 1:3 , 1 Corinthians 1:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unity, Peace And Love

Contributed by michael koplitz on dec 5, 2023.

Unity, Peace and Love are the way of Christ. That is one of the missions.

Unity, Peace and Love Christmas 2023 Matthew 1:18-25 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus 1Christ was as follows: when His amother Mary had been 2betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was bfound to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 20, 2021

We must learn to live as sisters and brothers in God's family.

Unity – Ephesians 2:11 - 22 Intro: It seems to me that we live in an age that focuses on divisions, differences, and divisiveness. Organizations or things exist today such as: “black lives matter,” “me to,” “republican,” “democrat,” “catholic,” “Presbyterian,” etc. I started thinking about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Keeping The Peace Series

Contributed by mark opperman on dec 15, 2009.

Our words and actions have a direct impact on the unity of the church.

Keeping the Peace Acts 21:16-26 Intro: Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Paul refers to God as the “God of all peace.” If the only peace people get from you is a piece of your mind, then maybe this message is for you. Regardless, we all need peace w/ God, others, and ourselves. In our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:16-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Peace In The Church Series

Contributed by eric snyder on apr 29, 2002.

adapted from Steve Higgs at Merridian Christian

Peace in the church, Live @ peace series Eric A. Snyder, Farwell Church of Christ April 28 2002 It is not our first instinct to accept those that are different than us. This is illustrated the best in Junior High School. Have you ever noticed that junior highers have a label or description for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

In Pursuit Of Peace Series

Contributed by mitchell skelton on apr 25, 2006.

I am firmly convinced that more than a timeless letter about the gospel of Christ, Paul wrote Romans as an effort to unify a church on its way toward division. Romans 14 is the climax of that effort.

Proclaiming His Majesty Series 2006 In Pursuit of Peace Romans 14:1-23 The other night at worship, my son, John Austin, asked Sheryl, "Mom, why does everybody call daddy, Brother Mitchell?" As Sheryl did her best to explain to him how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and that we ...read more

Zeal For Peace

Contributed by michael bird on apr 30, 2003.

This sermon exposits Eph 4.1-6 contending that in view of their salvation the Ephesians are to zealously contend for the unity within the body.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (Zeal for Peace) Introduction Tradition claims that Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchure is built over the cave in which Christ is said to have been buried. In July 2002 the church became the scene of ugly fighting between the monks who run it. The conflict began when a ...read more

3 Minute Speech on Importance of Unity in English for Students

Good Morning everyone, Today I am going to share my views on the topic “Importance of Unity. “

There is a great saying that “Strength comes with Unity”. Unity itself means to unite. People in unity instead of satisfying their own motive, work towards a common goal. People in Unity love their nation as well as their fellow citizens. Therefore, it is the proven fact that staying united is good for our growth as well as the nation’s development. 

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Howard and Keating’s ‘political love child’: Perrottet bows out of the Bear Pit

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The former premier Dominic Perrottet has used his farewell speech to parliament to concede that his government should not have pursued COVID-19 vaccine mandates, arguing that people’s personal choices should not have cost them their jobs.

“Vaccines saved lives. But ultimately mandates were wrong,” Perrottet told parliament on Tuesday in his valedictory speech, marking the end of his 13 years in politics before he leaves the country for a new career in the United States.

Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet with his wife Helen and children at their Beecroft home. He is resigning from politics. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Perrottet’s speech, to a packed public gallery including wife Helen and six of their seven children, former prime minister Paul Keating, one-time Liberal premier Mike Baird and Labor heavyweight Graham Richardson, highlighted lessons learnt and mistakes made during his years in public life.

He said prime ministers, premiers and treasurers “may have the best intentions” but they cannot reform and develop policies for the “long-term benefit of the country” when there is a revolving door of leaders.

“So, here’s an idea that I propose. Firstly, immediately move at a federal level to four-year fixed terms. This gives them more time on reforming and less time on campaigning,” he said.

“Secondly, we need continuity at a state level, so the states and territories should move to four-year fixed terms held within six months of the midpoint of the federal electoral term.”

Ideas and imagination, the 41-year-old said, are also the “lifeblood of politics”. To make the future better, he said, “you need ideas that challenge the way things are”.

“Why do school hours have to be from 9 to 3? Why does Canberra run GPs but states run hospitals? Why does the Cahill Expressway actually exist?” he said, referencing his long-held dream of tearing down the harbourside road and turning it into an elevated walkway like New York’s high line.

He said he found it “useful throughout my career to learn from others who have gone before”.

Former Liberal prime minister John Howard was a “constant source of wisdom” while former Labor prime minister Paul Keating “encouraged me to realise the power of imagination in politics”.

“He also once said to me, ‘Dom, I had to teach my bastards to care about money. And you need to teach your bastards to care about people’,” Perrottet said.

“This may sound strange because John and Paul are so different – but I sometimes feel I’m their political love child.”

Perrottet will leave parliament this month and relocate his family of nine to Washington, DC , to take up the role of US head of corporate and external relations for resources giant BHP.

He became the youngest premier in NSW history when the then-39-year-old secured the Liberal Party leadership following the sudden October 2021 resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.

Perrottet praised Berejiklian for setting up a daily crisis cabinet meeting during the early days of the pandemic, which fostered “an environment where senior ministers could discuss and debate our response from various perspectives”.

“Whilst we didn’t always agree, and in fact often disagreed, everyone’s perspective was fairly considered and, I believe, led to NSW having one of the strongest responses not just in this country but globally,” Perrottet said.

Perrottet, who was treasurer and then premier during the pandemic, said that while he acknowledged that the Coalition government did not get everything right in that period, “we got more right than wrong”.

However, it was the decision to force workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 that was his biggest regret, and one he moved to overturn as soon as he took over as leader.

“Health officials and governments were acting with the right intentions to stop the spread. But if the impact of vaccines on transmission was limited at best, as is mostly now accepted, the law should have left more room and respect for freedom,” he said.

“If a pandemic comes again we need to get a better balance that whilst encouraging people to take action at the same time protects people’s fundamental liberty.”

Perrottet also highlighted his good relationship with former Victorian Labor premier Dan Andrews: “Dictator Dan and Domicron” as the pair were sometimes referred to during COVID-19.

“Unfortunately we don’t see this bipartisan relationship at the federal level,” Perrottet said. “Good policy is suffocated by bad politics. It’s all short-termism all the time.” He said Canberra was “becoming a cemetery of reform”.

Politics can be a race to the top, not the bottom, according to Chris Minns and Dominic Perrottet. Credit: James Brickwood

Perrottet, who won a joint leadership award with Labor Premier Chris Minns for their “civil, respectful and substance-based campaigning” during the election (some preferred to call this a bromance), wished his successor all the best.

“Make the most of every moment of this great privilege you have,” he said, adding: “I would just like to wish [Liberal leader] Mark Speakman all the very better.

“Politics is about winning the future – and you do that by having ideas. May the best ideas win.”

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Trump tells Christian voters they 'won't have to vote anymore' if he's elected

Sarah McCammon

Juliana Kim

Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

For more on the 2024 race head to the NPR Network's live updates page.

Former President Donald Trump struck several familiar notes in his address to Christians at Turning Point Action’s “Believers Summit” in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The gathering of religious conservatives Friday night was an opportunity for Trump to appeal to the critical Republican voting bloc. The Republican nominee promised to protect religious freedom and touted his history of supporting the Israeli government.

It's easy to believe young voters could back Trump at young conservative conference

Trump also urged Christians to turn out for him ahead of Election Day, calling it the "most important election ever." He added that if elected, Christian-related concerns will be "fixed" so much so that they would no longer need to be politically engaged.

"You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what? It’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians," he said.

Trump also promised to create an anti-Christian bias federal task force, as well as to defund schools "pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children."

Friday night was Trump's second campaign speech since Biden stepped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee.

At the summit, Trump spent extensive time attacking Harris.

As she is poised to be the Democratic nominee, here are 5 facts about Kamala Harris

"If Kamala Harris gets in, she will be the most extreme radical liberal president in American history," Trump said.

Turning Point Action is the advocacy wing of Turning Point USA, one of the largest national organizations focused on engaging students on conservative issues.

• election 2024

What has Kamala Harris accomplished as vice president? Here's a quick look.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her meteoric rise as the successor to President Joe Biden, 81, as the Democratic presidential candidate in the Nov. 5 election is the most significant seismic shift in presidential politics in recent history.

As she gears up to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago this August, we examine some of Harris’ most significant accomplishments and policy initiatives.

More: Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race: What to know as America looks to election

Immigration

In response to immigration concerns, Harris’ call to action was the public-private partnership Central America Forward (CAF). The idea behind CAF is to support the creation of local jobs and other measures in order to slow the flow of mass migration.

CAF has generated more than $5.2 billion since its launch in 2021, and its partners include more than 50 companies and organizations that have committed to supporting economic growth in the Central America region. The entities represent the financial services, textiles, apparel, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, nonprofit sectors, and others, according to the White House.

Voting rights

Harris was at the forefront of the administration’s pursuit to enshrine voting rights protection throughout the U.S. according to White House transcripts . She pushed for Congress to pass the John R Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , which would’ve extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes.

In 2021, the bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the Senate floor where Harris would have cast the deciding vote in the evenly split chamber.

Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on March 14, a historic first for any president or vice president while in office, according to previous reporting by USA TODAY.

Walking through the clinic in Minnesota, the vice president spoke with staff members and health care providers as part of her nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour earlier this year.

Gun violence

In September 2023, Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, overseen by Vice President Harris, as announced by the White House.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds upon actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration to end gun violence, which include the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Heralded by the White House as the most impactful gun violence prevention measure in almost three decades, the now law bars individuals under the age of 21 from buying firearms, grants the Justice Department additional powers to prosecute gun traffickers, provides mental health services in schools to assist youth affected by gun violence trauma and grief and funds community-based violence intervention programs.

Maternal health

In her previous role as U.S. Senator for California, Harris introduced the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act , which would direct multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations as well as maternal health issues related to COVID-19.

The vice president’s prior work on maternal and infant health care was a key component of the Build Back Better Act , passed in 2022. The legislation expands access to maternal care and makes new investments to drive down mortality and morbidity rates.  

Broadband expansion

In 2023, Harris and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to celebrate the announcement of new electronics equipment production made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s “ Investing in America ” agenda and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the use of American-made materials and products for federally funded infrastructure projects, with the goal of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the U.S. The law also notably includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S.

“Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century,” said Harris.

In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. Often referred to as the “Second Independence Day,” it commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when 2,000 Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved African Americans were freed by executive order two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture .

“As a United States Senator, I was proud to co-sponsor a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday,” said Harris during the Juneteenth concert at the White House. “This [day], we will hold a national day of action on voting.  And I call on all the leaders here to please join us in helping more Americans register to vote.”

Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

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Trump Says Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’ and Predicts a ‘Blood Bath’ if He Loses

In a caustic and discursive speech in Ohio, former President Donald J. Trump once again doubled down on a doomsday vision of the United States.

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By Anjali Huynh and Michael Gold

Anjali Huynh reported from Vandalia, Ohio, and Michael Gold from New York.

• Published March 16, 2024 Updated March 18, 2024

Former President Donald J. Trump , at an event on Saturday ostensibly meant to boost his preferred candidate in Ohio’s Republican Senate primary race, gave a freewheeling speech in which he used dehumanizing language to describe immigrants, maintained a steady stream of insults and vulgarities and predicted that the United States would never have another election if he did not win in November.

With his general-election matchup against President Biden in clear view, Mr. Trump once more doubled down on the doomsday vision of the country that has animated his third presidential campaign and energized his base during the Republican primary.

The dark view resurfaced throughout his speech. While discussing the U.S. economy and its auto industry, Mr. Trump promised to place tariffs on cars manufactured abroad if he won in November. He added: “Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a blood bath for the whole — that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a blood bath for the country.”

For nearly 90 minutes outside the Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio, Mr. Trump delivered a discursive speech, replete with attacks and caustic rhetoric. He noted several times that he was having difficulty reading the teleprompter.

The former president opened his speech by praising the people serving sentences in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Mr. Trump, who faces criminal charges tied to his efforts to overturn his election loss, called them “hostages” and “unbelievable patriots,” commended their spirit and vowed to help them if elected in November. He also repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, which have been discredited by a mountain of evidence .

If he did not win this year’s presidential election, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t think you’re going to have another election, or certainly not an election that’s meaningful.”

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