Ending in Unity

Let me finish up on the idea of unity today with the idea that of difference.

The amazing thing when it comes to unity is that the Bible does encourage a blending despite our differences. We are encouraged to work together and  there is no emphasis on the differences, though some exist, but the focus is on the harmonizing of the individuals into a whole group.

Look at  Galatians 3:26-29  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. So what we see is that unity needs to happen regardless of someone’s background, social status, gender, or past sins because we are all a part of the body of Christ.

As we finish a week of talking about unity, let us ask some questions and think about some things in an honest manor ( if you have not read the other posts I would suggest going back and reading them).  Have you seen areas of your life where you do not have unity? Maybe today you have seen that you lack love and that is why you are lacking unity in some area of life. Maybe you have seen some areas that you need to confess and change. I pray that unity is a focal point for all of us in our personal lives and in the lives of the churches we attend. The devil will do what he can to bring about disunity because he knows the truth of what Jesus said in Mark 3:25 – If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. This is true in marriages, relationships, and churches – if we want to stand and stand strong we need to be focused on what each one of us can personally do in to insure unity – not on what someone else can do. It is about us as individuals and Christ working in us.

Are you fighting for unity in your family, in other relationships, in your churches?    What are your thoughts?

Love and Unity

When it comes to unity  it must come because God works in a heart. We can not make unity happen. Unity has to happen because of God and what he does in the hearts of people. The Church of Jesus Christ is one of the most amazing things ever. It takes people of all financial backgrounds, social backgrounds, racial background, and positions in life – mixes them together as one and as equals and they work together – for the most part – to further the Kingdom of God.

When thinking about this I come to the words of Paul in Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. We are all equal and unified. We are called to unity regardless of where we have been, what we have done, or how long we have been together because we are all one in Christ. We are called to love one another and that is a big order.

When thinking about this big order of love my mind went to 1^stJohn 4:7,8 which says: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In unity we are called to love – if you have hatred for another in Christ then there is question whether or not you know God according to the verse. What we see is that unity is love thing.

When I began to really grasp this idea of love and unity the Lord brought this to mind.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 which says, 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Powerful verses when you think about love in the context of unity.

The 1 Corinthians verses really hit me when I thought about unity.  How often does disunity come because of jealousy,  arrogance, acting unbecomingly,  taking into account others wrongs, rejoices because someone else failed?  The answer for me is all too often.  How about with you?

Do you see the connection between love and unity and unloving and disunity?  What are your thoughts?