UNITY
"But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony, and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you; but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments" (1 Corinthians 1:10ff AMP).
The unity of followers of Christ is centered in Christ Jesus. The society we live in knows that with unity there is power. But in society's interpretation there is corruption of power because the world uses power to steal, kill and destroy. The unity of the followers of Christ is power to do good and serve, not ourselves, but the One True God.
The unity of the saints has been targeted by the world, the flesh and the devil since day one. How do we, the Body of Christ, maintain unity in a corrupt society? We must follow the instructions of the Lord! As with God, Who shows no partiality, there should be no preferential treatment of some over others among us, for Christ is to be preferred over all. The attitude we should cultivate is to serve one another in love, with the gifts and blessings that God has imparted to us (See Galatians 5:13). We are to resist thinking more highly of ourselves or another (1 Cor. 4:6, Gal. 6:3) and honor Christ as the [only] Head (Ephesians 1: 22-23). And, when disagreement arises, we must come together rather than break up into factions, contending with each other or provoking each other to anger(Ephesians 4: 31,32). We must come together in humility, submitting to one another in reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5: 17,21). And, as much as it depends on us, we are to be at peace with one another (Romans 12:16-18), forgiving one another and loving one another as God in Christ has loved and forgiven us ( Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
To maintain unity we must agree on our cause--Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation. We must agree in our understanding of the Gospel message. We must agree to follow Christ and learn of Him (not follow what pleases us). We must agree only to rejoice and glory in the Lord (1 Corinthians 2:31). We must remember and put into practice the instructions and exhortation we have received in Ephesians 4: 1-6). Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
