“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
—1 Corinthians 1:10

One of the most important things in the heart of Father God is that His children walk together in unity. If you have children, you know how deeply you want your sons and daughters to get along. It grieves us as parents when our children fight. The same is true of our God.

During His high priestly prayer right before He was going to the cross and then to heaven, Yeshua prayed, “Father, make Your children one even as You and I are one.” (See John 17:21.) Unity in the body of Messiah is one of the most serious things to our Savior, and oftentimes we don’t carry His burden for oneness.

The apostle Paul prayed in today’s verse that there would be no division among us. Now, of course, there are disagreements. We don’t all need to have the same favorite color or the same taste in music. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we must be of the same mind, wanting to be in unity and, whenever possible, not allowing the small stuff to separate us.

It’s critical to have a heart that desires to get along with people and to, as much as possible, strive to be at peace with everyone. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). So, beloved, I encourage you to resist division. Look for ways to be in agreement with others. Do what you can to create bridges of peace. Unity brings life; divi- sion brings death. As you look for ways to build unity in the body of Messiah Jesus, you’re going to be rewarded for it, because unity is a very weighty matter to God and the Spirit.

Father God, I know that Yeshua said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). I want to honor You by pursuing peace and walking in love. Just as You are one, help me to walk in unity with others. Give me the wisdom to find peaceful solutions in tense situations. Father, please help me not to get distracted by small disagreements. May I share Your burden for oneness in the body of Messiah Yeshua.

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Divine Truth (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2021), Used by permission.