God created his people to live together in
harmony. This does not mean that we will
always think alike, act alike, or even believe
everything alike. Harmony does require mutual
understanding and a shared belief, of course.
But it does not necessarily insist upon us being
automatons—people who are exactly alike in
every way, from thoughts to hopes to dreams, or
even to behaviors. That is not harmony (or
unity). That is uniformity. We are not called to
uniformity.
Harmony does mean, however, that we
learn to love one another like Jesus loves us,
and that we live that love. It means that we
imitate our Savior in his care for those around
us—for ALL of those around us. Admittedly, we
do not always get along as well as we would like
with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There are
people with whom we naturally connect. People
for whom we have an affinity. People towards
whom we gravitate, whether consciously or not.
People that are in “our group,” our inner circle.
At the same time, there are brothers and sisters
with whom we do not as easily bond. People
with whom we struggle (and this almost always
is a two-way street). People who “rub us the
wrong way.” People whom we may even avoid.
Harmony does mean, however, that we
learn to love one another like Jesus loves us,
and that we live that love. Wearing the name of
Christ means that we also carry the name of
Christ in all our beings and doings. That is, we
commit to being loving and caring family to one
another, regardless whatever obstacles may
present themselves in our relationships. We
help one another, serve one another, pray for
one another, encourage one another, bless one
another, share joys and trials with one another.
In so doing, we emulate the Christ who has
saved us. –Ricky
