Equipped 2026: "The Precious Nature of Unity (Gen. 13:8)" by Luke Lohden

Unity is something that many people don't talk about today and honestly it's

not hard to understand why. When we look around at the world, unity feels almost

non-existent. We see division everywhere, we see political groups constantly

arguing with each other, we see division between racists, between social classes

and even within families. People disagree on beliefs, values, and priorities and

instead of trying to understand each other, many people choose sides and stay

there. Because of this, unity can start to feel unrealistic, almost like it's

something that just isn't possible anymore. But the Bible teaches something

very different. God desires the precious nature of unity, not just in a general

sense, but specifically among his people. Unity is something Christians are called

to actively pursue. It's not optional, it's not part of living the way God

wants us to live. So the question becomes, what does unity actually look like and

how do we practice it in a world that seems so divided? To answer that, we have

an example from the Bible, Abraham and Lot in Genesis chapter 13. At this point

Genesis 13 · chapter mention

in their lives, Abraham and Lot had both become very successful. They had large

herds, many possessions, and a lot of people working for them. Because of this,

the land they were living on couldn't support both of them at the same time. As

you might expect, this caused problems. The herdsmen of Abraham and the herdsmen

of Lot began arguing. There was tension, there was conflict, and this situation

had the potential to turn into something much worse. Now here's what's

important. Abraham had the authority in this situation. He was older, he was the

one leading the journey. If anyone had the right to choose the best land, it was

Abraham. But instead of using that authority for his own benefit, Abraham

chose unity. He said to Lot, let there be no strife between you and me, for we are

brethren. Think about that for a moment.

Abraham didn't ignore the problem. He didn't pretend the conflict wasn't

happening. Instead, he addressed it directly, but peacefully. Then he did

something even more surprising. He gave Lot the first choice of the land. He said,

essentially, you choose where you want to go, and I'll go the other way. Lot looked

out and chose the land that appeared to be the best, the well-watered plains of

the Jordan. It looked rich, fertile, and ideal. Abraham was left with what seemed

like the worst option. From a worldly perspective, Abraham would have lost. But

from a spiritual perspective, Abraham showed something far more valuable than

gain in land. He showed humility, selflessness, and a commitment to unity.

Because of his choice, the conflict ended. The relationship was preserved, and peace

was maintained. And that teaches us something important. Unity often requires

sacrifice. It requires us to let go of pride. It requires us to sometimes give

up what we want in order to maintain peace with others. That's not easy. In

fact, most conflicts today continue because neither side wants to give in.

People want to be right. They want to win the argument. They want things their way.

But unity is not about winning. It's about preserving relationships. This idea

is reinforced in Romans 12 18, which says, if it is possible, as much as

depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Notice that phrase, as much as

depends on you. That means unity takes effort. It takes intentional action. It

means asking ourselves, am I doing everything I can to promote peace, even

if the other person is not? Another key part of unity is how we view other

people. The Bible teaches us that every person is created in the image of God.

That means every person has value. Every person matters. If we truly believe that,

it would change how we treat people. It would change how we respond in

disagreements. It would change how we speak to others, and it would

change how we handle conflict. Unity also applies strongly to our personal

relationships, especially with family and friends. Just like Abraham and Lot

were relatives, many of the conflicts we experience today happen with people we

are close to. And those conflicts can be the hardest to deal with, but those

relationships are also some of the most important. Instead of allowing

disagreements to create permanent division, we should be willing to work

things out, to communicate, and to find the common ground. However, the Bible also

teaches that unity has its limits. There are situations where unity is not

possible, not because we don't want it, but because it requires compromising

what is right. In John chapter 3, Jesus explains that in order to enter the

John 3 · chapter mention

kingdom of God, a person must be born again of water and the Spirit. It shows

that unity with God requires obedience. We can't ignore God's Word and still

claim to be united with him. Other passages also reinforce this idea. In

2 Thessalonians 3.6, we are told to withdraw from those who walk disorderly

and do not follow God's teachings. Why is this? Our purpose is to save a soul from

hell. We withdraw to teach that person to want to come back to God. Of course, we

continue to pray for that person, but the goal is to make that person miss

the godly influences so much that they want to come back. In Matthew 18, 15

through 17, we are given a process for dealing with sin, and if someone refuses

to change, separation may be necessary. Again, the purpose is to save a soul from

hell. These verses show that unity is not just about getting along with everyone

no matter what. True unity must be based on truth. If unity requires us to ignore

what is right, then it is not the kind of unity that God wants. So there is a

balance. We are called to seek peace, but we are also called to stand for truth.

Another important area of unity is our relationship with God. In John 17, Jesus

prays that his followers may be one, just as he and the Father are one. That

is a powerful image of unity. It shows that unity is not just about the human

relationships, it's about being aligned with God. But unity with God requires

something from us. It requires us to separate ourselves from sin. In 1 John,

1, 6 through 7, we are told that we cannot walk in darkness and have fellowship

with God at the same time. We have to choose. We have to choose to walk in the

light. This means living according to God's Word, praying regularly, and making

an effort to grow spiritually every day. Unity also plays a major role in the

church. For church to function properly, there must be unity among its members.

That includes leaders, teachers, and the congregation as a whole. If there are

constant disagreements and different beliefs being taught, it can lead to

division and even cause a church to split. And when that happens, it weakens

the church. God designed the church to be unified like a body working together.

Each person has a role, and all are meant to work in harmony. And one of the most

important parts of unity, especially in the church, is love. Without love, unity

cannot exist. If people do not care about each other, they will not work toward

peace. They will not forgive. They will not sacrifice for one another. Love is

what holds unity together. Finally, unity matters because it affects others. When

others see unity among Christians, it sends a message. It shows something

different from the division they see in the world. It reflects God. But when there

is division, it can push people away. It can make Christianity seem divided and

confusing. That's why unity is not just about us. It's about our influence on

others. In conclusion, unity is something that we are called to pursue even in a

divided world. The example of Abraham and Lot shows us that unity often requires

humility and sacrifice. The teachings in the New Testament remind us to seek

peace while still standing firm in truth. Unity is not always easy, and it is not

always possible in every situation. But as much as it depends on us, we must

strive for it in our relationships in the church and, most importantly, with God.

Because unity is not just about getting along. It's about living in a way that

reflects God's will. Thank you for your attention.