TUNING TO THE STANDARD

A.W. Tozer said this about unity: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers together, each one looking away <from each other> to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become unity conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”

Psalm 37:23-25 says, “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fail, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I was young and now I am old…”

And piano lessons were part of my life for many years, on both ends, as a student and a teacher. Tuning perfection has always been a mystery to me. The standard that all instruments try to live up to. One voice. Tones matched. Harmony. Unity. Perfection. Concert. But, even without musical training, it is easy to hear dissonance and discord when it occurs. For some reason, this skill does not require rocket science. Our ears let us know something isn’t right. They just do.

I grieve for the Body of Christ when it fails to live up to the scripture’s picture of unity. The kind of unity expressed by the Trinity. The kind of unity that is characterized by joy. The kind of harmonious fellowship that feels loving and safe and kind. I find myself asking a lot, “Why can’t we all get along? Why can’t we mature together? Why can’t we build stability by becoming mature in Christ? We know when something isn’t right. Discord. We just do. Even if we are not well-acquainted with the Standard Himself.

Like Psalm 37 claims, I have seen wicked schemes, plots against the righteous, the sword drawn, the bow bent, borrowing without paying, lives sought. And much too often. You name it. But, I always wonder what would happen if an army of godly corporate unity came answering back. Unified Christlikeness. What would that look like?

Definitely a force to be contended with. Ephesians 4:13-14 says, “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”

I think unity in Christ would put an end to schemes once and for all. Believers would be tuned to the greatest standard Himself – Jesus. Like 100 pianos. No more tossing. No more blowing winds. No more crazy teachings. No more infancy. No more discord. No more sour notes.

Only firm steps. Only the fullness of Christ. Unity in Him. Tune in.