Verse for meditation:

 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is poor, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things”(Phil. 4:8)

  Unity is an important advice given to the people of God. Paul teaches that the church should be “one in spirit and purpose” (Phil. 2:2). He has given admonition to the New Testament church to be strong in unity in one spirit at different environments (1 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 1:27; Rom. 15:5; 2 Cor. 13:11). He instructed the church to have the ‘same opinion’ (1 Cor. 1:10) and to be united in ‘one body’ (1 Cor. 6:16, 12:13; Eph. 2:16, 3:6; Col. 3:15). The Old Testament also asks the people of Israel to live in unity (Jos. 9:2; Jud. 20:1,11; 1 Sam. 11:7; Jer. 32:39; Seph. 3:9). This unity was very vivid among the first century Christians (Acts 4:32, 5:12, 8:6, 12:20). The reason is that we have only one Lord. Jesus also taught “” (Mk. 12:29). Apostle Paul also taught that Jesus Christ is the only Lord (1 Cor. 8:6). This unity is for the cause of justice and peace. Justice and peace form the basic characteristics of the kingdom of God.David calls God as, “righteous God” (Ps. 4:1). This divine character should be reflected in our lives also. God declares, “… will not flatter or be discouraged till he established justice on earth …” (Is. 42:4). St. Paul says that the kingdom of God is ‘justice, peace and the fullness of joy in the spirit’ (Rom. 14:25). Justice has other equivalent words like righteousness, correct, straitforward etc. The Greek root dikaio and the Hebrew root sdq elaborate the meaning of justice or righteousness. The Hebrew root sdq is used more than 500 times in the Old Testament and the Greek root dikaio more than 200 times in the New Testament. The noun sdq (Hebrew) is translated in the Septuagint (LXX – the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) as dikaiosunimordikaios. In the Old Testament justice is the moral, legal and spiritual behavioral pattern of a person. Justice or righteousness comes out of right relationships. It is doing the right things towards God and men. Each person has a number of relative actions. The king to his citizens, the judge to the petitioner, the priest to the worshippers, common people to their families, head of the tribes to the society, the society to destitute and foreigners, for all to God. In such a relationship what is required as justice or righteousness need to be done.  What is right in one situation may become wrong in another situation. Justice is inappropriate outside a particular relationship. A person is said ‘just’ when he does what is expected of him in doing in a particular situation in a particular relationship. He who protects peace, justice and welfare in a society is called a ‘just man’. The duty of the emperor and the judge is to establish peace, in the society. The word ‘justice’ is used in the New Testament to echo the meaning of doing things akin to God’s will. The word righteousness comes from an Anglo – Saxon root and the word justice comes from the Latin root justitia. Both these words are used in many places with the same meaning interchangeably (Rom. 3:21-24). Thus, through good relationships come justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit which leads us to the experience of the king of God.  

1. The Unity with God (Ez. 37:15-28; Ps. 4)

Through Christ, man has been given ‘peace with God’ (Rom. 5:1). The condition God gave was ‘I will make a covenant of peace with them’ (Ez. 37:26-28; Is. 55:3). This peace treaty we find in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. When justice is established peace is instituted. This is the relationship between justice and peace. The Psalmist David says, “I will lie down and sleep in peace…” (Ps. 4:8). God is our justice (Ps. 4:1). First, man should achieve peace with God. This is the result of the unity with God. This unity has happened in Jesus Christ on the cross (Eph. 2:13-19). Therefore, it is said, ‘He is our peace’ (Eph. 2:14).  

2. The unity within the human relationship (Matt. 5:21-26)

The view of the unity of humanity gives a complete meaning and depth to history. Sin and death came to this world through one man (Rom. 5:12). In the same way justice and eternal life came through one man (Jesus) (Rom. 5:17). Moreover, he who joins with Christ becomes one spirit with him (1 Cor. 6:17). Christian spirituality is the spirituality of relationships. In Mathew Chapter 5 verses 23 and 24 Jesus teaches about the reconciliation that should happen within human relationships before coming to the altar with sacrifice.St. Paul teaches, ‘If possible be at peace with all men’ (Rom. 12:18). As God has loved the sinful man so much and forgave him to make a peaceful treaty with him, how much more it is essential that we as human beings and children of God should love and forgive to live in peace.  

3. The unity of the church (Phil. 4:8-20)

  Paul teaches as follows, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is poor, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).  Paul again teaches to have unity in matters of physical nature, spiritual things and income and expenditure (Phil. 4:14-16). Justice and peace are the basic qualifications of the kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17). To reveal this the church should get united. Therefore, in the high priestly prayer of Jesus he has prayed thrice for the unity of his people (Jn. 17:11, 21, 23).  

Prayer :

  God of peace and justice, who sent your Son Jesus Christ the prince of Peace for our redemption, empower us with the spirit of justice to have right judgments in all things and in establishing a peaceful kingdom and await the coming judge. We pray this prayer in and through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  

Amen.