The Key to Unity
Several years ago, I was invited to sit on a Shark Tank-like panel in Central Florida. Our task was to give away $20,000 to one leader who was starting a church. Anyone could apply, but the proposals were narrowed down to ten.
We heard each of them give a two-minute pitch. We narrowed it to five, they gave another two-minute pitch. Ultimately, we were down to two candidates who each got ten minutes to make their pitch.
One of the candidates was from n the Sacramento region. He was a polished, confident, cocky, well-prepared leader who had a flashy presentation and a clear plan. The other contender was starting a church in Montreal. He simply walked us through how that city is so in need of Jesus and churches. He cried and asked us for help.
Our panel was divided. Half wanted the Sacramento guy; the other half were for Montreal. We went back and forth and around in circles with no movement for quite some time. Splitting the money was not an option, but our team was sure split. The deliberation went on and on.
Finally, the oldest person on the panel made a statement. After he spoke, we all jumped to one side. We had our answer.
Who did we go with and what did that wise old gentleman say that turned us from divided to united?
I will tell you what he said—the key to unity—in a few.
That’s the question: What is the key to unity. It’s pretty simple. But what is it? What brings unity?
That’s a question we are all grappling with. We live in such divided times. There is so much division. On one side you have wonderful, smart, caring people. Then on the other side there are Dodger fans. Just kidding! Kind of.
It’s an election year, sides have been taken. The middle is shrinking. It seems that division gets ratings, click, subscriptions and votes.
What could unify us? What could possibly bring us together?
An answer is found in a Bible passage:
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 1and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:1-11 (NLT)
The key to unity: Humility.
There is power in humility. It is amazingly one of the great attributes of God.
When that Florida panel was stuck in division, the wise old adviser simply said this:
“The Holy Spirit is attracted to humility.”
Humility is an attractive virtue, insecurity is not. Humility is directly connected to strength, insecurity is tied to fear and weakness.
Isaac Walton surmised, "God has two dwelling places: Heaven and a humble thankful heart.”
David Brooks wrote, “The quality of humility is taking a beating in an increasingly narcissistic, performance-oriented society… The Culture of Humility has been replaced by the Culture of Big Me. In 1948, researchers asked 10,000 youths if they considered themselves a very important person. About 12 percent responded “yes.” Recently, 77 to 80 percent of youths answered the same question in the affirmative. Concurrent with the rising sense of self-importance is a growing hunger for fame. As late as 1976, fame ranked priority 15 of the 16 options from which subjects could select. Just a few decades later, more than half of American youth rank fame among their chief aspirations.”
“Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of mastering a craft. Of real creative insight. Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of longevity. Of repeating and retaining your success. It repulses advantages and opportunities. It’s a magnet for enemies and errors.” --Ryan Holiday, Ego Is the Enemy
So how do we get humility?
It is hard to be humble. By the way, I am not writing about humility because I’m great at it. Humility is like underwear. You need it, but if you show it off, you’re being inappropriate.
There’s an old Mac Davis song that has always made me uncomfortable:
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
But I'm doin' the best that I can
It’s hard to be humble, but this passage tells us how:
Take the humble position.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave…--Philippians 2:7 (NLT)
Jesus did not demand his rights or his privileges. He gave up every single one and took the humble position.
What does that look like?
Benjamin Franklin observed, “Well done is better than well said.”
We can talk about humility, but how to we demonstrate it? The New Testament elaborates:
1. Take the humble position with God
Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
“You cannot be full of the Holy Spirit if you are full of yourself.” --Tony Evans
Becoming a Christian, committing your life to Jesus is an act of humility. When we act in pride we are contradicting ourselves.
“If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”
C. S. Lewis. “Mere Christianity.”
2. Take the humble position with others.
I must warn you that Paul uses the S-word here:
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. —Ephesians 5:21 (NLT)
Paul tells us to submit. I know that is word submit is worse than the other S-word—stupid. Submit means to voluntarily take the humble position.
He then talks about taking the humble position in marriage:
For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord…For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. –Ephesians 5:22-27 (NLT)
Do you know what happens when each spouse takes the humble position in marriage? Unity.
Paul expands to parenting:
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.—Ephesians 6:1-4 (NLT)
Let’s take the humble position as kids and parents.
Then there is the workplace:
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. –Ephesians 6:5-9 (NLT)
When we take the humble position at work, whether we’re the owner, founder, boss or a worker who feels like a slave we foster unity.
Oswald Chambers put it this way: "Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby."
What about at church?
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith…Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. --Hebrews 13:7 & 17 (NLT)
Unity comes in the congregation when leaders and followers consistently take a humble position
3. Take the humble position with your resources.
Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.—2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. —2 Corinthians 9:6-14 (NLT)
Have you ever thought about taking the position with your resources? We could change the world if we were unified with our giving. Look at the Bible’s book of Acts. They changed the world with their generosity.
Humility is the key to unity.
Mark Batterson summed it up well: “Humility honors God and God honors humility.”