Unity

A young boy was doing a jigsaw puzzle of the world map. Seeing this, a friend of his parents said, “It`s amazing that you can do such a difficult puzzle!” The boy responded, “It`s not that difficult! With the help of Jesus the world can soon be created!” The back of the puzzle revealed the face of Jesus!

Jesus is the key to unity. “The person who can most successfully cooperate with others has the biggest success.” Andrew Carnegie.

Recently, the countries of the world are moving away from cooperation towards independence and division. America has moved away from cooperation with others getting out of the Paris Accord, TTP and NATO. Trump`s call of “America First” has influenced other countries. Britain has opted to get out of the EU, countries in Europe are opposed to accepting more refugees and more countries are looking out for themselves. As more countries look to put themselves first, they become more isolated, move away from cooperation and it becomes more difficult to maintain world peace. The future of any community that moves away from cooperation is threatened.

Cooperation is essential for any group such as family, society, sports team or orchestra. Japan was the venue for the Rugby World Cup and for the first time the Japanese team reached the quarter finals. The motto for the team was “One for all, all for one” emphasizing the need to work together. Division leads to downfall for any group.

It is impossible for one ember to keep burning alone. Power is generated when a number of embers get together. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12. A church too will grow when the members work together but will collapse when there is division. More strength will be demonstrated when there is unity and cooperation in a group. The Chinese character for cooperation is 協 which is made up of a Cross on the left-hand side and three symbols for strength on the right-hand side. One of the meanings of the existence of church is that we are a group of people with the same faith, combining together to move together towards the same goal.

In order to have unity it is important not to compare one with another. Each member is important with different functions and one cannot be thought to be better than another. It is not wise to compare ourselves with someone else. It is necessary to value one another and put others before self. It is especially important to value those who do not stand out. “Those parts of the body that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour.” I Corinthians 12:23. We respect one another. All members are different but equally important. We should value one another.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10.

We should care for one another. If one member is suffering it affects the whole team. Help those who are hurting. If one is suffering, we all suffer. If one is rejoicing, we rejoice together with them. “There should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other.” I Corinthians 12:25.

We are bound together in the bonds of love. We should display compassion and understanding of another person`s position.

If there is division in an organization it will not be successful. We all learn and grow as we fulfill our roles in the church. Let us look to Jesus, not compare ourselves with others, be bound together with His love and care for one another.