Considering the number of admonitions to unity in the New Testament books/letters, unity must be both important and difficult.  It is fairly easy to figure out why it is difficult; we’re selfish.  We have our own agendas and personal desires create tension, arguments and fighting.  We think “looking out for number one” means getting our own way even if we leave a trail of bodies in our wake.  That we struggle with unity is not hard to figure out, what may not be as obvious is why it is so important.  Before I answer biblically, a bit of history is in order.  When I came to Calvary in 1995, I learned that this local church had experienced a split years before.  I still don’t know all the reasons, I do know it was painful.  The pain experienced by those who were “left behind” could be heard in their voices and seen in their countenance.   As often happens, values can emerge from trials and one of the values that emerged was the importance of unity.  In some respects, valuing unity is for personal protection.  We don’t ever want to hurt that way again!  But, we must ask the question, “Why does it hurt so bad?” It seems like more than an “evolutionary glitch.”   I think the answer lies in how deeply embedded unity is in the entire universe.  What I mean on the most basic level is that God is Three but One.  In the God-Head there is unity and diversity.  Just imagine what the universe would be like if the Trinity had a split!  As individuals we are created in God’s image and in the new community, under the new covenant, the church is to reflect His image.  In other words, as His image bearers, His representatives and ambassadors, we are here to reflect Trinitarian and heavenly unity and diversity.  This, of course, is only possible as we love one another…and Jesus said that love would be the distinctive mark/characteristic of His apprentices.  So, yes, unity is difficult but something this important requires all the struggle necessary to maintain it.  Read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and consider Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 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.”  More about this on Sunday…