“Four Words for Unity,” “An Ordinary Man,” Jim Wining, host Jim Wining explores the concept of unity as a foundation for a stable and fulfilling life. He emphasizes that society is made up of individuals, not groups, and that achieving unity is a personal responsibility rooted in biblical principles.
The Four Outcomes of Unity
Wining explains that when unity is achieved, four essential “ingredients” manifest in a person’s life:
Peace: Relationships shift from being hostile or combative to having a peaceful sentiment
01:05
Opens in a new window.
Security: This includes protection from enemies and the “security of agreement,” where there is a clear understanding of what is shared and what is personal
01:24
Opens in a new window.
Financial Protection: Peace brings a level of financial security that helps preserve homes, savings, and businesses for future generations
01:43
Opens in a new window.
Emotional Stability: Hostility and violence become the exception rather than the rule, leading to a state of mind where individuals feel a sense of purpose and comfort in helping others
02:20
Opens in a new window.
The Four Key Words to Achieve Unity
To reach this state of unity, Wining recaps four defining words:
Unity: The ultimate goal and “top word”
11:02
Opens in a new window.
Offer: Referring to the “Jesus offer” found in His final prayer for unity (John 17), which offers peace, love, and security
11:05
Opens in a new window.
Work: Unity requires active effort in pursuing love, truth, and understanding others
11:22
Opens in a new window.
Forgive: The final essential piece is the willingness to forgive the “trespasses” of others as you seek forgiveness for your own
11:51
Opens in a new window.
The Biblical Foundation
The teaching is centered on John 17, the last prayer of Jesus, where He prayed for His followers to be one
03:57
Opens in a new window. Wining emphasizes that unity is built through:
Love: Following the commandments to love God and love your neighbor as yourself
05:04
Opens in a new window.
Truth and Holiness: When these two abide together, deceptive and “sneaky” behavior is eliminated
05:50
Opens in a new window.
Individual Action: Wining stresses that it is up to each person to offer the “branch of unity” to impact their community and the world
12:50
Opens in a new window.
