Unity, An Annointing

Psalm 133:1-2 ESV
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 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!

Look at Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 8:2-12 and Leviticus 8:30. Why was there oil on Aaron's head? Not only was it to anoint him as a priest, but as Lev 8:12 puts it, it was to sanctify him as well.

Now when Christians live in unity it is likened to that same anointing and sanctification. Remember, you are a priest (1 Pet 2:9). Also, look at the importance that our Lord put on loving others: Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34; John 15:12, 17. Jesus said that loving God and loving others summed up all the law and prophets. The epistles, especially 1 John echo how important it is to love the brethren. And the first letter to the Corinthians also speaks of the importance of unity.

How do you achieve unity? I've already given you the first clue on that - loving your brother. Yes, we've addressed this. But we have an enemy who knows how to trip us up. If everything seems to be going great in your walk with the Lord, be on your guard - you probably aren't too far from a word being spoken that will be misunderstood or taken out of context. It could be with your spouse, it could be in your family, it can even be within the body of Christ. Look at how special the Lord portrays unity. Our enemy is wanting to destroy it.

Love, pray, live the Word and pursue unity even in the face of adversity. Don't worry about yourself - you don't need to get revenge; you don't have to exact justice. You have to let the Lord take care of you and your brother (or sister) in Christ. You don't need to worry about yourself because you died to self when you accepted Jesus into your life. Your task is found in Philippians 2:3-4.

Try that and see if unity increases around you.