Alphabet of Love - U is for Unity

I grew up under the communist slogan, “Brotherhood and Unity”.  Fast-forward few decades and what is left of it is enmity, bloodshed and unimaginable atrocities, the international community still trying to untangle the web of crimes, perpetrators and victims through its slow and woefully insufficient judiciary system.  What once was a country united doesn’t even exist on the map of the world any more.

What went wrong?  How did these noble ideals became a laughing stock of the generations that followed?

And even more importantly, is there any hope for true unity, genuine brotherhood among us?

The unity that is not forged on greed and self-interest or forced through fear and intimidation.

The unity that encourages diversity and creative expression rather than The Brave New World which sacrifices the individual on the altar of uniformity and ‘common good’.

In the letter to the believers living in Philippi, apostle Paul sticks his neck out on this very point.  But, what he sees as the basis for unity is quite different from the call of politicians and even religious leaders:

If there is any encouragement in Christ,

if there is any consolation of love,

if there is any fellowship of the Spirit,

if any affection and compassion,

make my joy complete

by being of the same mind,

maintaining the same love,

united in spirit,

intent on one purpose. Philippians 2:1,2

Never have I seen an appeal to unity put quite in this way.

If you find no encouragement in Christ, forget unity.  You need Him first. 

Haven’t been consoled in your afflictions and grief by His love?  Fill this cup before anything else. 

If ‘fellowship of the Spirit’ brings only the confused images of dark forests, goblins and hobbits, find somebody to talk to.

If there is no affection and compassion, if you don't even like each other, hold your horses on stampeding the world. Learn this first.

Then, and only then, please do make me happy…

By taking time to work thorough your differences and disagreements until you reach mutually satisfying solution, not just plastering a facade of unity while divisions and hatred on the inside simmers and reigns…

By guarding your love for each other and for the Lord …

United not in mere externals, but in what truly matters on the inside. Your hearts and souls at rest with each other, with yourself and with the Lord.

Any hope for true brotherhood and unity? You tell me...

The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 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. John 17:22,23