The Value of Unity

If one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.

–Ecclesiastes 4:12

In a church where I served, a man was cheated out of a considerable sum of money by another church member. The man was contemplating taking legal action, and he would have won the case. But he told me, “Pastor, things are going so well in the church right now that I am going to let this go instead of pressing the case. I don’t want to do anything to destroy the unity that our church is experiencing.” The man put the interests of the church above his own personal interests. By demonstrating genuine love, he helped preserve the unity of the church.

In making that choice, he benefited the church, but he also benefited himself spiritually. Why do I say that? When we cling to our rights or try to get our way regardless of the cost, the result is friction in our friendships, our marriages, and the church—and that makes us more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. Satan has a three-pronged strategy to take you down spiritually: First, he will use whatever conflict he can to separate you from other believers. Next, he will isolate you so that you feel alone. Finally, when you are most vulnerable, he will attack you.

Paul understood that truth, and that is why he prayed that the Colossian Christians, who were in danger of wandering away from the faith, would be “knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2).

Over the years, I’ve seen many Christians who have been separated from other Christians and, as a result, have fallen into doubt, defection, and disobedience. For example, let’s say two friends separate over a petty disagreement. What happens to the parties in that relationship? They’re no longer enjoying the benefits of their friendship, so they are more prone to depression. Or let’s say a husband and wife refuse to yield their rights to each other, and the result is friction in the marriage. Now each mate feels emotionally alone and is more prone to the temptation of adultery. Or let’s say a church member doesn’t get their way and separates from the rest of the body of Christ. They’re no longer receiving the support they need from other Christians, so they drift into disobedience.

The Bible says we need other Christians. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, Solomon wrote, “If one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” When we are divided from other Christians, we are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. There is strength in numbers.

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Today’s devotion is adapted from “Strength in Numbers” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.