Priority of Unity

I've heard a lot of statistics lately in regard to the need for community and the harmful effects of isolationism. Employers are looking for 3 things from prospective employees and they are appropriate dress, community, and a good sense of humor. Research has shown that isolationism causes early morbidity. We are way too prone to isolationism in today's world than in the past. I'm sure we can all come up with reasons why that is the case.

I truly believe that disunity and isolationism is a tactic of the enemy because it deeply affects us both individually in our relationship with God, on a corporate level within the local and worldwide church, and in how the unbelieving world views us. I find it interesting that many languages don't even have an appropriate word for self-reliance. In an excerpt from the book, "When People Are Big and God is Small" by Ed Welch it states, 'Americans often use variations on the phrase “self-reliance.” This phrase is a notorious problem for translators. For example, in Latin America, the closest they can come is a word more like our “independence” in that it is political and social, not personal. In some Asian countries the phrase makes no sense, or it is a sign of mental instability. The person should never be self-reliant, according to most Asian traditions. The person should be interdependent.' 
We are commanded to do the following: 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.' (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)

'How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured 
on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.' (Psalm 133:1-3 NIV)

We are to delight in each other and promote the welfare of one another; this is illustrated by the anointing oil that was poured on Aaron's head which was considered as holy and extremely fragrant! The fragrance wasn't just for Aaron and the one who anointed him to enjoy, but those around them smelled the beautiful fragrance as well! May we be a fragrant aroma of the Lord Jesus Christ that causes others to want to know Him.

Aaron and his sons were not allowed to minister to the Lord without this anointing oil. Our service to God is not acceptable without His holy love characterizing our life. 'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.' (1 Corinthians 13:1, 2 ESV)

Here is another quote from the book "When People Are Big and God is Small" by Ed Welch which gives a good commentary on the illustration of Mount Hermon in Psalm 133 - 'In a similar way, Hermon was the largest mountain in the region, and Zion was not much more than a hill. If the dew of Hermon fell on Zion, it would be a deluge of fruitful blessing in an arid area.
This psalm is a critical prayer for the people of God. When we fear other people and either isolate or protect ourselves from them, we isolate and protect ourselves from a significant part of Godʼs remedy — love and unity with his people. A psalm such as Psalm 133 reminds us to pray for Godʼs remedy. It reminds us that one of the great blessings on earth is to be united with Godʼs people rather than to fear them or be isolated from them.'  What is the result when we put Psalm 133 into practice? We are everlastingly blessed by the Almighty God of the Universe!