Have you ever experienced something so well sequenced that it seemed to happen in perfect unity? For me, it often comes with the simple things in life. For example, when you are driving down the road and every single streetlight that you come to turns green. Or it could be a time when you are cooking where every single dish you prepared comes out of the oven simply perfect and its worthy to be shared on social media. Or even something as simple as getting the perfect Oreo cookie side with no icing in a single twist (If you know, you know).

Now, imagine your own example of a time where everything turned out perfectly and everything seemed in total agreement. For me, it is rare that a string of events actually lines up in perfect unity. The amazing news is that not only does God work in perfect unity all the time, but He also wants us to be a part of that perfect unity!

We can experience His invitation if we look at the end of Jesus’s prayer in John 17. Jesus says, “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” Jesus has given us the opportunity of a lifetime to be one with Him. This is really a throwback to what Jesus says in John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you.” God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit live in perfect unity with one another, and They are inviting us to live in perfect unity with Them and with each other. Each of Them has their designated role but each of Them moves as one. None of Them seek glory for Themselves but rather bringing glory to one Another. Each of Them humbling Themselves and putting on the robe of servanthood.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden what was the first thing God did to deal with their sin? He clothed them. He could have destroyed them and would have been justified in doing it. Instead, He loved them and decided to clothe them.

Jesus knew Judas would betray him but what did he do? Jesus washed Judas’s feet.

When we come and accept Jesus, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Even when we sin and mess up, the Holy Spirit still resides in us; He still works in us creating a pure heart — chipping away that heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh.

Imagine if Jesus came back right now and judged His Church. Are we working in perfect unity? Are we working as one Church? When Jesus went to the cross, died and rose again, He was paying for our unity. In Acts 11:26 we find out that there was one Church, and they were called Christians. All of them were working in unity. It was not until 1056 A.D. that the Church split into two churches. There was no such thing as different denominations a thousand years after Pentecost. There was simply one Church working in unity. What could have caused this original Church to split in two? Historically, one of the many reasons the Church split was because they disagreed about Communion. More specifically, whether it was acceptable to use leavened or unleavened bread. Imagine that — the bride of Jesus arguing what bread to use and splitting up over a technicality. Years later we’re not much better, splitting over carpet color or political parties. Do you think Jesus really cares what bread we use to remember Him? Or do you think Jesus cares about the heart and the intention behind the action? Would Jesus rather have leavened bread, unleavened bread or unity?

I am saying all this to show how easy it is for us to become offended. It is easy for us to fight over trivial things. When we do not abide in Jesus, we abide in ourselves. Our egos become bruised, we get offended and we end up being separated from one another.

We have seen this play out recently. Not only with how the Church handled a pandemic or how local governments handled the elections, but also in how we handle one another on social media or even how we handle one another in everyday interactions.

Ask yourself when you comment on a post, “Did I walk in perfect love just now?” “Do I walk in perfect unity when I gossip about the person who said something I don’t agree with?” Remember who you are and who you represent. Jesus calls us to love God and one another. When we love God and love one another we stand united.

Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” So, let’s come together, Church, and forget our offences and our differences. Do not let offense come in. Instead, be humble like our God. Clothe those who do wrong against you. Wash the feet of the ones who disagree with you. Continue to love and work for those who spitefully use you. Shower them with love and forgiveness. Walk in perfect unity with God and with one another.