Unity is a powerful thing but so it a lack of it. Jesus said in Mark 3:25 – If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. There is so much obvious truth in this. This week we have been looking at Israel from 2nd Samuel 5. We has seen that Israel has been failing and falling apart because of the lack of unity in the country. Israel has been involved in a civil war that has been tearing apart the county. When we think back to our own American History we see the way this country was torn apart by civil war. We can look at homes all across America and see that many are torn apart because of a lack of unity between the husband and wife – a lack of unity ends in divorce – families torn apart. We see churches that split because of a lack of unity. What is clearly seen that a lack of unity tears apart. Disunity is powerful!
Let me share a great illustration I came across: During World War II, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the Brethren assemblies, half complied and half refused. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. Those who did not faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp.
When the war was over, feelings of bitterness ran deep between the groups and there was much tension. Finally they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person spent time in prayer, examining his own heart in the light of Christ’s commands. Then they came together.
Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend who was there, “What did you do then?” “We were just one,” he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred.
When love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world the indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Too often we in the church present disunity to a world that needs unity. Disunity is powerful but unity and love in Christ are much more powerful than could ever be imagined when lived out.
Let us not be a house divided (that is families, relationships, churches) but let us be united and allow the Love of Christ fill us and dissolve all disunity!
Any thoughts on this today?
Loved the story Jim and loved your thought here. gotta wonder: if you can’t get along with people down here on earth for this short period of time, how in the world (or is that in heaven’s name?) do we expect to get along for eternity?
Loved the story. And as I think about it, I wonder how often something great is ruined because of disunity.
“the love of Christ dissolves all disunity” — really like that!
“When love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world the indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.”
I love that! You have some really great thoughts on unity recently, Jim.
May unity in love prevail among God’s people.