30 Bible Verses To Encourage You Pursue Unity Amidst Diversity.

I have been hearing about unity a lot this week; the person leading prayer at church last Sunday lead us to pray for unity in the church and among ourselves. In the News last night a sports coach was asked if his team had prepared enough to win, and he stated that the team members have to be united because that is the only way to win.

It suddenly dawned on me that unity is required for success in every area of our lives not just the church. I started thinking about the importance of unity or oneness in the bible and why it is important to strive for unity in our homes, churches and communities despite the opposition we may encounter.

‘Can two walk together unless they are agreed?’ (Amos 3:3). Throughout my marriage I have always been blessed with this scripture whenever we face crisis, because I know that the devil uses division to stop me and my husband from achieving what God has planned for us. We are not ignorant of the devil’s devices and continue to use the word of God to overcome the devil.

Here are 30+ bible verses to encourage a daily prayer for unity amidst diversity and disunity in your family, marriage, church, ministry, work etc. The importance or result of unity is also revealed in these verses.

Unity Produces A Good Reward

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiaties 4:9-12

Jesus Prayed For Unity Among All Believers

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 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.

John 17:20-21.

If Jesus took time to pray to God for us believers to be one, then there is some force and power in unity and oneness that Jesus knows about and wants the same for us. Jesus was one with the father and was able to fulfil his mission here on earth.

Jesus Is One With God The Father

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

John 10:28-30.

Notice that Jesus said no one can snatch us who have received eternal life from God’s hand and from his hand too, why? Because they are one. We have to become one with God because God alone is all powerful and what the devil is unable to do to God, he cannot do to us, God’s children.

Disunity Brings Contentions And Divisions

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you 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. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:10-13.

As Christians, the bible should be our standard in all sectors of life decisions. We must share the same view and judgement based on the bible so that we will remain united.

Unity Is A Characteristic Of The New Man

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

Unity Produces Stability

But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 

Luke 11:17

This is so true in every situation, whether it is a marriage relationship, church, work, business or in the community projects, if there is no agreement, the union, team or group will not stand.

Unity Comes out of Love

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Colossians 3:14

God is love and love is the cord that binds us together as children of God.  If we claim to be his children the we ought to possess and exhibit his character of love and bring oneness to the body of Christ despite our differences.

Unity Attracts God’s Blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.

Psalm 133:1-3

Unity Glorifies God

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

Unity Attracts The Holy Spirit

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

If we desire the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must pursue unity because God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one.

God Unites All Things In Christ

Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 

Ephesians 1:9-10

Unity Requires A Change Of Mindset

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

Many marriages fail because the man refuses to leave and become one with his wife. Other men leave physically but remain emotionally, financially or spiritually attached to their parents. There has to be a total change in mindset about leaving and cleaving in order to have a successful marriage.

Unity Produces Growth

But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom 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 4:15-16

Unity Is A Call For Peace

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Unity Brings Joy

Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Ephesians 2:1

Wherever unity prevails whether in our relationships, homes, work, or community, the result is joy.

Unity Avoids Useless Disputes

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Titus 3:9-11

Anyone who tries to bring disunity in a place through useless arguments must be rejected.

Unity Values Diversity

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14