Just before the miracle occurred, the disciples were assembled together “with one accord” (Acts 2:1). What does that mean? Is that just a label or a hopeful thought? To be “with one accord” is what Jesus passionately prayed for concerning His followers shortly before being tortured and killed.

In that passage, Jesus is also praying for us today! “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word [including you and me]; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-23, emphasis added throughout).

And so, we see that it was Jesus Christ’s intense desire that His followers stick together and be united together in purpose and action. The apostle Paul illuminated that desire further in writing about the Passover: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion [Greek koinonia—deep fellowship] of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The United Church of God’s Vision Statement is drawn directly from what is called the “unity chapter” of Ephesians: “The whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

Unity represents the outcome of having a shared purpose and vision, a purpose that we all actively work toward! To achieve it, we must get in harmony with Christ’s prayer and diligently, as individuals, strive to all support and advance that collective purpose as one body in one accord.

Let’s also consider how Paul prefaces this. He urgently directs us today to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). How do we do this? “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” (Ephesians 4:2, New Living Translation).

And here is Paul’s chief call to action: “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NLT). Why does Paul write this? Because there is “one body and one Spirit . . . one glorious hope for the future . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism . . . one God and Father” (Ephesians 4:4-6, NLT). This directly reflects the substance of Jesus’ prayer for each of us!

Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Pursuing and supporting our great purpose as a spiritual assembly—preaching the powerful gospel of the Kingdom and preparing ourselves for entry into that Kingdom as the very children of God—requires great effort and work by each of us. When we do so, when we are so minded and motivated, we have peace and unity!

Peace is the glue that creates a spiritual bond. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). We have to be willing to wage spiritual peace rather than war in our daily lives. Of course, the waging of peace represents a more difficult challenge. It is far easier to tear down than to build up. But it is worth the effort. With God’s help, we can overcome the baser parts of our nature. We can put out anger, envy and pride—the mental and spiritual states that lead to words that hurt and harm.

This condition of unity—of being of one accord—is something we cannot take for granted. This critically important spiritual condition must be cultivated, forged and rigorously maintained.

When Paul asked the Philippians to “fulfill my joy,” how did he expect that to happen? He explains in detail that we are to “be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). How do we get here? “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3). A critical focus? “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

It is easy to write and read these precepts, but it requires effort and focus to achieve them. The Greek congregation at Corinth had some problems. How did Paul direct them to resolve them? Commanding them with the very authority of Jesus Christ, he said that everyone should “all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

As we approach Pentecost, let’s rededicate ourselves to our wonderful purpose; let’s all do our part to be a genuinely unified Body, a UNITED Church for those whom God is calling that lives up to its name!