Jesus, Help Us

Jesus, help us live in peace

From our blindness set us free

Fill us with your healing love

Help us live in Unity

- JD Martin, 1979

I miss those days of sitting around the bonfire singing campfire songs. Regardless of what was going on in the world, there was a sense of peace, of hope, and of unity as we sang those words.

This song came out the year Pam and I were married. Shortly thereafter, we were involved in leading a community Bible study where over a hundred high school and college students would gather to study God’s Word, pray, and sing praise songs together. This was one of my favorites. While reminding me of the brokenness of the world, even 42 years ago, I could sense the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life and in the lives of those with whom we worshipped God together.

The lyrics go on to say:

Many times we don’t agree

On what’s right or wrong to do

It’s so hard to really see

From the other’s point of view

Forty-two years later, those words still ring as true as ever. Unity is a seemingly impossible task, yet it is one God calls us to as followers of Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 1:10, the Apostle Paul writes,

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

In Philippians 2:1-2, he goes on to write,

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

I could keep going, as there are so many passages that speak to this issue, but here’s one more:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

- Colossians 3:13-14

Unity is defined as being joined together… becoming one. It is a concept we often use in reference to marriage, as Jesus declares through marriage that a husband and wife become one flesh. However, this idea is not limited to marriage. It is a key ingredient in the health of God’s church. We are called to be One in Christ, united together for a single purpose, to glorify God.

When we are not one with each other, we naturally glorify ourselves, but when we become one with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we elevate others above ourselves, and God and His Kingdom reap the benefits. We must humble ourselves in order to raise others up. As Mother Teresa put it, “Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead us to peace.”

Jesus, help us live in peace

From our blindness set us free

Fill us with your healing love

Help us live In unity.

Pastor Ken

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