Scripture declares, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!†(Psalms 133:1). Unity is a vital concept in God’s Word. It is the Lord’s intention and expectation that there be unity in the church. Unity is the state of being one. To have unity is to have harmony and peace. It is the absence of rivalry, division, and discord.
Only when the church has unity is it able to experience revival and growth. Indeed, unity is a foundational principle on which the church is built. On the day of Pentecost the believers “were all with one accord in one place†(Acts 2:1). The phrase “with one accord†(Greek: hoomthumadon) signifies that the believers were of the same mindset having the same passion. There were no grudges, arguments, murmurings, grumblings, grievances, complaints, criticisms and so forth among the people. There was unity. And this unity – this singleness of mind and passion – resulted in the Holy Spirit falling upon them and revival breaking out in their midst.
As much as God loves unity, He hates division. Scripture states, “he that soweth discord among the brethren†is an abomination unto the Lord (Proverbs 6:16-19). The unity of the church is serious business with God. Ask Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).
Let us follow the Apostle Paul’s directive to the church: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace†(Ephesians 4:2-3, NIV).
