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?

The Power of Disunity

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?