Living in Harmony

We’ve been through a lot collectively. Rampant division can make it easy to feel hopeless and powerless that we can create any change. But God created us in His image and He calls us to carry who He is in our world. He even gave us a heads up in His Word to encourage us during hard times.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, New Living Translation)

You and I hold the keys to live in harmony despite the world or circumstances around us. We can be a vehicle for peace — the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. All we need is to change our perspective.

When it comes to living in harmony — God has not called us to “be right.” He’s called us to live together in unity and in harmony with one another. He states it clearly in Psalms 133:1. He calls it “good and pleasant” when His people live in unity. God isn’t pleased when you’re right. He’s pleased when we choose to live in harmony with others despite the effort and sacrifice…not to mention the messiness. 

A united Church is also a messy Church. A Church living in harmony and unity will require having honest conversations about complex topics. It requires vulnerability — messy. It requires forgiveness — messy. It requires grace — messy. Isn’t it ironic? That living in harmony requires the authentic pouring out of ourselves so that God be glorified and not our own desires. There’s a daily choice to be made in order to be willing to live this out. The cost of harmony within the body of Christ looks like surrender of self. It’s about doing what God loves and desires. 

God is pleased by our harmonious living! It brings Him pure joy and delight. Our harmonious living is like a beautiful fragrance poured onto Him as worship. It’s our sacrifice of worship! Because living in harmony is costly! God blesses it.

Once you’ve committed to a harmonious life, the next step is to prioritize God’s truth over opinions. Yes, even your own opinions. 

We live in a world full of opinions and everyone is quick to give theirs. Yet, we are highly lacking in truth. We find our north and truth in God’s word. It is timeless and relevant in every season. What we have to say isn’t nearly as important as what God has to say about a matter. When we can’t come to an agreement on our own — let’s come to God. His word is a firm foundation which we can all stand on. It doesn’t swing right or left, but keeps us centered in His will and Kingdom. 

To live in harmony we must let go of our own opinions and preconceived notions. It does not mean that we don’t get to have any viewpoints. It means that we don’t let our opinions and viewpoints interfere with God’s commandments for us: to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Any opinion that gets in the way of love must be surrendered to the One who is love. 

This also includes surrendering the hurt that others’ opinions have caused us. I wouldn’t dare tell you not to take it personal — I’m sure many times it’s been extremely personal. But I’d encourage you to bring that pain to Jesus. People had lots to say about Jesus. He’s experienced in being judged, misunderstood, accused, belittled and wrongly spoken about. Don’t keep the anger, resentment, hurt and frustration to yourself because you think that will keep the harmony. It is in your releasing it to God and living a free life — without offense — that creates true harmony to live in unity with others.

Sometimes to keep the peace, you’ve got to make the peace. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Being a peacemaker requires an important ingredient — humility. We must repeatedly ask ourselves the question: do we want to be right or do we want to live in unity? In Romans 12:16 it tells us, “live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” That might feel like a tall order to ask. But Jesus, the Savior of the world, sat down for meals with those society called wicked and lost. He didn’t care about people’s opinions — He created a new standard of living. Jesus was a peacemaker even as He turned people’s religious views upside down. 

You see, being a peacemaker is not about being a people pleaser. Jesus sets us free from that task because His approval is all we need. But being a peacemaker is about choosing Kingdom over petty. Choosing kingdom over self-righteousness. God’s kingdom over all.

Living in harmony is not passive or permissive. There can be accountability within a harmonious community. There’s a vast difference between accountability and cancel culture. To live in harmony means to have a culture of transparency and accountability where your faults and differences don’t disqualify you as someone to love like Jesus would. 

We can live in harmony when we ask Jesus to help us see and love others the way that He does. I’ll admit it — I’m still under construction in this area, but that is one of my prayers for this year. That I would love my neighbor as I love myself — Jesus gave us that commandment — it’s a non-negotiable. That I would “put on love.” Without loving my neighbor every other thing I do is worth nothing. 

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:14-17, New International Version)