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Unity is a platform of kingdom advancement

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Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.

 

Anything in life worthwhile takes a massive amount of effort and preparation. Some of us watched Michael Phelps continue to make history this year in the pool. He had already made history as the most decorated Olympian in history. That legacy didn’t come easily to Phelps. Phelps swims a minimum of 80,000 meters a week, which is nearly 50 miles. That preparation enables him to achieve extraordinary feats in the pool. Preparation isn’t only necessary for success in athletics. If you want to be good at anything weather its relational (parenting, friendship, marriage), vocational (job, leadership), or recreation, it takes preparation. Preparation is absolutely essential to success in every facet of life.

Psalm 133:2 uses the idea of anointing oil in attempt to illustrate how unity functions as preparation. In addition to having a wonderful fragrance that marked the activities surrounding sacrifice and forgiveness, anointing oil was a sign of holy preparation. Aaron, the high priest, would cleanse himself thoroughly, be anointed with oil, and make sacrifice for his own sin. This ritual was given by God to prepare him for ministry as priest. Unity is like that. It’s a lot of work, but it’s necessary preparation. It’s worth the effort because unity benefits more than those in the united group. Unity is a platform of kingdom advancement. Aaron didn’t simply get really clean and smell good for his own benefit. No. His anointing allowed him to be a bridge between Israel and their holy God.

Our unity is that same bridge. When the church is united under the banner of God’s grace, we become a powerful conduit of the good news. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are a people united, because we are together forgiven, filled with the same Spirit, fully equipped to do the ministry of a priest, and the ministry of reconciliation. Take a moment to send a note of encouragement to someone today. Select a person you want to grow in unity with. This may take some effort on your part, but unity is worth it – for both you and the world.

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By Aaron Bjorklund

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