Unity

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133

Harmony within the family of God shows that we are dedicated to serving God wholeheartedly. When we live in community, we mirror God’s nature of community among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and his nature of love and selflessness.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:5-6

The Roman church was an extremely diverse community. It was made up of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people, rich and poor, former idol worshippers, prostitutes, and every type of sinner. We can imagine from our own experience how difficult it must have been for them to accept one another.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23