“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:3-6, NIV

On November 20, 2021, the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras (El Sistema) of Venezuela set a new Guinness record for the world’s largest orchestra with 8,573 musicians playing together.

It takes an incredible amount of skill and practice (and tuning!) to have thousands of vocalists and musical instruments including flutes, violins, organs, guitars, etc performing together on one stage in perfect harmony.

Music is a good example of oneness – that even with numerous voices and different types, sizes, shapes, colours and tunes of music instruments, it is possible to achieve harmony or oneness.

Indeed, sumphoneo, the Greek word for ‘unity’ or being of one accord, means to ‘sound together’ – said of a collection of musical instruments.

Unity does not mean uniformity. While some would rather have 8,500 musicians playing the same musical instrument and singing one voice, I can only imagine how terribly boring it would be.

The music indeed sounds better with many musicians singing different voices and playing a variety of musical instruments with perfect harmony.

In the Old Testament, the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis. 11:1–9) shows us the amazing power of people being in one accord.

“If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them,” the LORD said.

At creation, God said; “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26).\

That implies that oneness is a divine attribute and God also put in each of us the desire and ability to collaborate, to work with others to achieve specific objectives or goals.

Whatever team we are part of, we all have a duty to keep or observe spiritual unity, recognize it as real, and do everything within our power to act upon it without sectarian attitudes.

In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus prayed to His Father for oneness among His Disciples (John 17:21).

The standard for the Church, according to Jesus, is that we should be one as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one.

He knew that if the Church was to succeed, oneness was indispensable.

Families, communities or organisations in which members are of one accord do change the world. They are simply unstoppable.

The Bible says that people who bring about disunity among brethren are “an abomination” to the LORD but that it’s “wonderful” for brothers to dwell together in unity.

That’s why the admonition to unity and oneness featured prominently in the epistles.

In our meditation today, we reflect on the command to keep the unity of the Spirit.

The words; “make every effort” imply that it is never easy but it’s possible.

By mentioning “one body and one Spirit, one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,” he implies that there should be absolutely no excuse for disunity or division in the Body of Christ.

There is nothing that makes you superior or inferior to any other person.

In Corinthians, the Bible compares the Church and her members to the human body – different parts ing in perfect harmony despite being different with different function

The Church is a unified body under the headship of Christ, though the members are diverse and have different functions (see 1 Cor. 12:12–31).

He refers to it as “the unity of the Spirit,” which means that any form of division in the Body of Christ is carnal and worldly.

Whatever team we are part of, we all have a duty to keep or observe spiritual unity, recognize it as real, and do everything within our power to act upon it without sectarian attitudes.

We are one!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for making me a member of Your Body. Whatever team I am part of, help me to do everything in my power to maintain the unity of the faith in the bond of peace. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!