Unity is a Christian virtue

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” These words from the 133 Psalm proclaim a Divine priority which religion, politics, and humanity in general have too frequently ignored. The sentiment is echoed by Jesus in John 17:21-23 in praying that followers may become one. Unity is fundamentally Christian in spite of the fact that it is something Christians as a whole do not share. It is not necessarily because people do not desire unity. It is, rather, that people define “unity” in ways that defile scripture.

Much of the time, “unity” is defined in tribalistic terms, absolutist definitions, and seeking uniformity of agreement. Whether defined in nationalistic, partisan, cultural, or religious terms, when people seek unity, they often desire unity on their own terms, in accordance with their own belief systems, and supportive of their own experiences. When others disagree, it is seen as a threat to unity, and therefore as somehow contradictory to the virtue of unity.

An important factor to remember when considering factors of unity, especially faithful and Biblical unity, is the reality that understanding others is not the same as agreeing with others. As human beings make decisions, come to necessary conclusions, and understand personal opinions, people often make the false assumption that if one seeks to understand, it requires abandoning one’s own decisions, opinions, and assumptions. This, however, is far from the truth. A person can truly seek to understand another without adopting, accepting, or otherwise embracing opinions with which they legitimately disagree. Yet, in seeking to understand—rather than simply persuade how wrong, stupid, ignorant, or misinformed the other may be—individuals are manifesting the Christlike virtues that enhance the credibility and authenticity of the Christian faith.

Seeking unity also involves a recognition that when people truly and faithfully seek to understand one another, the effort uncovers a reasonable common ground and shared beliefs which are often left undiscovered when emotional efforts focus on proving the other wrong. As humans created in the Image of God, it is fundamental that most humans share some degree of common ground. Even when we necessarily experience those commonalities from different perspectives, given the faithful time to share, listen, understand, and dialogue, we can uncover this sacred common ground in God. Tragically however, too often disagreement immediately leads to pejorative labels that only discredit the humanity and authenticity of those with whom one disagrees. “Liberal,” “conservative,” “radical,” “woke,” “fascist,” “evil,” “brainwashed,” or “conspiracy-theorist” are just a few of the popular labels promoted by media, social media, politicians, religious leaders, and many others who seek not unity, but division and dominance.

Such sinful division is nothing new. Humanity has been poisoned by divisive thinking for all of recorded history. It is largely part of our human nature. Yet, to say that it is just how people are is to essentially discredit the prophetic word of Scripture which calls us to transcend the ways of humanity that destroy life and seek unity in our Creator in ways that enhance all life.

Unity is not easy, nor is it popular, but neither is fidelity to Jesus Christ. God calls us to unity in Psalm 133 and in the 17^th chapter of John, Jesus prays for that unity. Unity is Christian. In embracing unity as a fundamental Christian value, Christians must abandon religious ideology, partisan propaganda, tribal loyalty, media distortions, and our natural inclination to demonize those with whom we understandably disagree. It is time we listen, learn, understand, find our common ground, and embrace true unity.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Unity is a Christian virtue