Perfect Harmony

“Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace…” (Ephesians 4:3, TPT).

As I sat listening to a sermon on the need to walk in humility to achieve unity, it occurred to me that the words unity and harmony are often used interchangeably. A survey of several verses in both the old and new Testaments confirmed this observation, but in my mind, harmony is unity taken to the next level. When people sing in unity, or should we say unison, it can be pleasing to the ear, but when harmonies are added it becomes an even better experience.

Unison implies conformity, whereas harmony embraces coordinated diversity. It is not uncommon for choral music to begin with everyone singing in unison. It establishes the melody, but a delightful musical palette is revealed as harmonies are added. It takes training and practice to ensure that all parts are blending properly, but the result can be wonderful.

Even as it is true in music, harmony among God’s people is a sweet sound not only to the Father’s ears, but it will be attractive to those in the world who are longing for something better. Ignatius of Antioch, an early church father, wrote a letter, “Unity with the Bishop” in which he wrote: “Your excellent presbyters, who are a credit to God, are as suited to the bishop as strings to a harp. So in your harmony of mind and heart the song you sing is Jesus Christ. Every one of you should form a choir, so that, in harmony of sound through harmony of hearts, and in unity taking the note from God, you may sing with one voice through Jesus Christ to the Father. If you do this, he will listen to you and see from your good works that you are members of his Son. It is then an advantage to you to live in perfect unity, so that at all times you may share in God.”

For God’s people to be in harmony, it is necessary that we surrender our own agendas and follow the cues from our Conductor. To the Colossians, Paul wrote: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12–14, NLT).

It appears “the fruit of the spirit” is essential to producing pleasing harmony. It should be obvious by now harmony is impossible if everyone wants to take the lead, to be the star of the show, and the sing the melody. Frankly, singing a harmonic part or filling a complementary role requires a perspective that does not always come naturally. If we are unable to see (or hear) how our part contributes, it is possible that we will be unwilling to make the sacrifice. There are at least 3 things that we should understand about being together in perfect harmony; to be in harmony is pleasant, it is potent, and it is productive.

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Psalm 133:1, NLT) To put it another way, when everyone is getting along, doing their part, and contributing it is nice and much superior to the alternative. Medical science will confirm that living harmoniously is better for your health than living in a state of contention. When there is harmony in a church, in a family, or even in a nation, it just is better.

Not only is being in harmony more pleasant, but it is also potent. “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19, AMP). The Greek word for “agree” is sumphōneō which means “to be in agreement or harmony with.”^[1] It is also the basis of the English word, “symphony.” There is power and potency when God’s people are in harmony or agreement. This moves harmony from being aesthetically or emotionally pleasing to a whole new level of possibilities.

Lastly, when God’s people are harmoniously united it establishes and confirms the presence of God in the world and makes us productive. “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21, NLT). When the church is one, that is operating in harmony, it supports and undergirds all our efforts in proclaiming the gospel, in making disciples, and fulfilling the mandate that we have been given.

There is so much more that could be written about the benefits of being in harmony, but if we can just grasp that it is pleasant, it is potent and it is productive, then the body of Christ will operate at great efficiency and effectiveness. Each one playing their role: “Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22, CEB)

Steve Ekeroth

Image by Thomas Steiner from Pixabay
^[1] Otto Betz, “Φωνή, Φωνέω, Συμφωνέω, Σύμφωνος, Συμφωνία, Συμφώνησις,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 304.