United and it feels so good… Ok, ok, that’s not the lyrics. If you don’t know the song reference, I’ve just totally dated myself. That was my feeble attempt to start this devotional with humor. As it’s true, when we feel connected, joined together, being united does feel good.

There’s not much of that feel-good going on in the world. Turn on any news station or scroll on any social media platform and the lack of unity is almost a daily topic.

However, as believers, we should be asking ourselves what and who exactly are we united with?

This is a critical question to continually take our pulse on as the world has a plethora of all the ways it calls for “unity”.

We should be looking to the One, the constant unchanging source of truth for what and who we are to be united with. To be frank, it is not the world. We are called to be united as the body of Christ. We cannot be united with Jesus and represent His truth if we are united with worldly views and behavior.

With that in mind, I went to the two most used apps on my phone. The Bible and the dictionary. For those of you that aren’t familiar with me, I am a lover of definitions. So naturally, I looked up the word “united” to get a better sense of the word.  Here’s what I found.

• Webster’s Dictionary: “made one: combined; relating to or produced by joint action; being in agreement”
• NIV Bible: “to bring together, forming one body; agreement, harmony
• Strongs Greek Concordance: “congenital, united with”

Then I decided to see how the worldwide web defined the word.

• Duck Duck Go: “combined into a single entity”
• Google: “joined together politically, for a common purpose or by common feelings”

Interesting, huh?

As believers we shouldn’t be focused on being united with anything more than Christ and his word. A cause, political party, or person should never hold more importance or passion than being united with Jesus.

We’re warned throughout the Bible of the lack of unity we see happening.

Luke 12:52-53

“From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Romans 16:17-18

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.”

This next one is a showstopper. In John 17, Jesus is praying for his disciples and future believers. (I encourage you to read this entire chapter!)

v14- “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.”

We can’t be united with something that hates us. Jesus is clear the world will hate true believers because we won’t or shouldn’t be cooperating with the world by joining in rebelling against God’s word.

Believers take to heart, we represent Christ and should try to live a life pleasing to him, remembering Who we are united with, that we are ultimately serving an audience of One.

Let’s remember this especially when we disagree about world events, politics, medical practices or any of the other multitude of topics that arise.

There really is only one form of unity Jesus calls us too.

1 Corinthians 1:10

“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Acts 20:28

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Ephesians 4:3-4

“endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”

May we remember being united with Jesus and His word is most important.

May we remember who the real enemy is.

May we remember Jesus is still King, sovereign, in control, and should be trusted.

May we remember we serve and answer to an audience of One.

May we remember we should be more concerned with which side someone is on, as it relates to heaven or hell, ultimately being disciples for the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Lord, may my actions match my words. May I stand united with You and Your truth. Help me be more focused on sharing your gospel, your grace, your offer to be with you. May I seek your wisdom and be open to your gift of discernment Lord, especially in the days ahead to know false unity when presented with it, help me recognize the enemy’s lies and stand against them. In Jesus Name. Amen.

This week’s playlist:

Citizen of Heaven

Tauren Wells

Give Me Jesus

Jeremy Camp

Make Us One

Jesus Culture

Written November 4, 2018

Updated August 18, 2021