HARMONY!

The charming medieval settlement of Old Aberdeen is the focal point of a number of architectural gems, not the least of which is the 500-year old University of Aberdeen campus. Another is a remarkable Georgian Town House built in the 1700s: its pleasing proportions, rugged stonework, and dignified stance has made it the logo of The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, its elegant façade appearing on all their publications.

The motto of what was the burgh of Old Aberdeen is inscribed above the front door of this edifice: Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt, or “Through Harmony, Small Things Increase”—unity makes a significant difference.

Using the metaphor of the body, Paul made the same point in the New Testament: no believer is insignificant; each is an integral and necessary part of the Body of Christ.

Now you are Christ's body,
and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27

The unity of the body is presupposed, even as diversity within it is acknowledged.

For the body is not
one member, but many.
If the whole body were an eye,
where would the hearing be?
If the whole were hearing,
where would
the sense of smell be?
But now God
has placed the members,
each one of them, in the body,
just as He desired.
1 Corinthians 12:14, 17–18

The church, the Body of Christ, is a united organism, every diverse part of which is essential for the unity of the whole. A body cannot function—indeed, it cannot even be a body—without the unity of its various components. It is through that unity and harmony in Christ, wrought by the Holy Spirit, that “small things increase”.

If they were all one member,
where would the body be?
But now there are
many members,
but one body.
And the eye
cannot say to the hand,
“I have no need of you”;
or again the head to the feet,
“I have no need of you.”
1 Corinthians 12:19–21

We need each other. We depend on each other. We are bound to each other. United. As a body.

[May] there be
no division in the body, ….
And if one member suffers,
all the members suffer with it;
if one member is honored,
all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:25–26

This is not to be harmony at all costs, or harmony for harmony’s sake. This is a unity for the sake of Christ. A unity of Body, a harmony, based on love, and a spirit of selflessness and humility. Indeed, believers are called to imitate their Savior’s own humility.

[Be] of the same mind,
maintaining the same love,
united in spirit,
intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness
or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind
regard one another as
more important than yourselves.
Have this attitude in yourselves
which was also in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:2–3, 5

Jesus Himself prayed that those who follow Him would be bound together in this kind of unity.

“… that they may be
perfected in unity,
so that the world may know
that You [the Father] sent Me,
and loved them,
even as You have loved Me.
John 17:23

May God help us to be united, that through our harmony and our concord He may be glorified.

Now may the God
who gives perseverance
and encouragement grant you
to be of the same mind
with one another
according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord
you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5–6