Unity is Difficult

Verse: Philippians 2:1-2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Devotion
If you think about the people in your life who you enjoy being around a lot, are they really similar to you? If so, it’s probably not super hard to get along with them. Communication flows easily and naturally. Your shared values and common foundation for approaching life overlap enough that when you do have discussions and arguments, they’re deep or nuanced. Maybe you share similar senses of humor, preferred cuisines, shows and movies, and hobbies.

What about people who are really different from you? People with a different upbringing than you who can’t relate to the way you think about family, work, and purpose? Is it harder to feel connected to them, at least at first?

Paul, in this verse, calls us to be unified. The implication: unity is difficult, especially when you remember that Christianity is for everyone; and in Paul’s time it had only recently become accessible and inclusive. Big inclusive movements attract diverse and heterogenous people.

The Bible talks a lot about diversity and unity, and the tension between them. The more diversity you have, the more difficult unity is—at least superficially. In other verses, and here in Philippians, God’s plan is to attract everyone and to use their individual attributes and gifts as part of a unified whole that shares a vision. His idea of unity doesn’t mean reducing individuals and making them conform. Instead, it means that we are supposed to come together with people and share the same outlook. Not the same perspective, not the same thoughts, not the same dreams and desires. Those are distinct and individual things. However, we’re to look towards what’s best for implementing God’s will here on Earth.

I think leaning into relationships with people who are different strengthens us too. We find more ways to relate, to love, to work together, and learn.