The Power of Unity
A Message by Pastor Timothy Ikinya
From the beginning, God has held forth a difficult principle flowing naturally into the concept of unity. Many have stumbled over this concept of unity with easy listening, but unwilling to practice it. In Genesis God said “let us make man in our own image and our own likeness”. There was more than one person and unity in the Godhead.
There was an agreement and harmony in heaven. Great creativity occurs where there is unity. God’s power is always released where and when there is harmony. The power of judgment came from unity where man was judged after eating the forbidden fruit.
The bible says that wherever two or three gather in His name then He will be there. Unity is the fountainhead of God’s creative power. In unity, the progressive power of explosion will be manifested. One shall chase a thousand and two shall chase ten thousand enemies. If unity worked in heaven then let us allow what was done in heaven be done here and now.
The early church was united, and continued to stick together even after Christ was crucified. Though it was weak and uncertain of what would happen and it was afraid, it remained in one mind. They devoted themselves in one mind, in one prayer and one accord and the Holy Spirit, the giver of power, was poured upon them.
The power of the Spirit was manifested at the church of Antioch (Acts 1:14; 11:26). The prophets and teachers were fasting and praying, refusing to eat for a time and worshiping the Lord. Diverse leaders centered on Christ, ministering to Him by worshiping Him. Then the Lord came to them and separated Paul and Barnabas with power.
Disunity causes the Holy Spirit to flee. The Holy Spirit is the power that effects the change and must be with us. Disunity and division has been the character of the church until now, bringing lack of power to change the world. The power that comes from unity is now returning to the Church and the Church is returning to power.
In the tower of Babel, the unity was good but for the wrong purpose. Whenever the purpose is wrong then the unity cannot survive for long. Whenever a business, co- operation, family or nation comes together, things become possible. Any unity motivated by pride and a man’s effort to glorify himself will bring many to collapse, for this is a rebellion against God. Our unity must exist to glorify God.
Religion of man is a unity to glorify himself and as long as they remain opposing to God they will be defeated.
UNITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL
Unity must begin with an individual. A man must be unified within himself with an internal harmony if he or she wants to experience the power that can change the world. A double minded person is never stable. He is like a wave tossed here and there by the wind.
The divisions of internal belief or faith have wracked many in their walk of faith.
In Psalms 57: 7, David said that his heart was fixed. For you to make an impact in any of your area of operation you need to work single-mindedly. In Luke 10:38 we see Martha handling so many things and ending up with nothing but frustration, but Mary was a single-minded woman who chose to be at the feet of the Lord only.
Single mindedness is the solution for the many who are experiencing an internal despair coming from the heaviness and weight of carrying many things at one time.
COLLECTIVES
Collectiveness is something quite essential. Any city divided within itself will be laid waste and any house divided within itself cannot stand. (Mt 12:25). Without internal unity, groups, families, businesses and political entities will ultimately collapse. Vacillation and dissention lead to tearing and destruction. All forces will collapse unless they are unified. Unity is strength while disunity is weakness.
He who troubles his own house will inherit wind. When the house of leadership falls to fighting within itself it will crumble (Proverbs 11:29). The power of an individual is multiplied by the harmony of the group, clan and family he comes from. When a family is supportive to each other with all members working together for the good, of one another they succeed but when they are hostile to one another they will fail.
When husband and wife support each other, their children working together with them, they will bring success to the whole family. However, when a husband and wife battle each other and undermine each other, the children are then neglected and grow up even hating their parents and all bring failure to their family.
The economic and social cost of the lack of unity in the family is appalling. When families lack unity and cohesion then the whole society suffers. The hatred engineered by disunity in marriage leads to racial, ethnic and class warfare, which rips society apart and destroys cities, states and nations. A kingdom divided within it cannot survive.
UNITY OF GOALS AND MISSION
When any business, co- operation or institution abandons a clear vision of its mission it will move to hard times. Successful organizations and individuals are those unified around a single goal and mission. When there is absence of harmony in any organization then in comes fragility and a falling apart.
Every nation founded on the biblical principle of unity shall prevail. Jealousy and the self-concerns of individuals bring division, and when divisions grow bring violation. This is why Cain said ‘I am not my brother’s keeper.’
Carnal ambitions and selfish spirit work against God’s plan of unity. It is the will of God that we remain united. Our working may differ but let us remain united.
Gifts may vary but we should all work towards a common goal. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says that now there are varying gifts but one spirit, varying ministries but one Lord, varying effects but one God all working for a common goal.
In families, businesses, churches, and nations, the Lord is looking for people of varying personality, talents and styles unified in purpose who will work together toward a common good. These people will overcome the crisis of this century.
Jesus prayed that His disciples may be one that all may know that Jesus was send by God. It is this unity that will overcome the world and that the world will see the power of God. The fulfillment of God’s purpose requires unity.
