Church conflict and disagreements cause members to choose sides. It tears the body of Believers apart and offers a poor witness to new Believers, the unchurched, and our community who are watching us closely. They expect us to be different, and really, we should be.
The atmosphere in our fellowship is so much more inviting when the Body of Christ dwells together in unity – even if this requires us to agree to disagree (Psalm 133:1). Our dedication to God and our commitment to our church family is a testimony to the world that He really does dwell within us (John 13:35).
We may live on this planet, but our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Our great High Priest is also our Lord and King, and He gave His life to allow us unlimited access to our Father’s throne (Hebrews 4:16). Praying together increases our unity with one another.
The bond of Christ’s sacrifice and His love for us brings unity to our church family regardless of where we live, or how old or young we are (1 Corinthians 1:10). When we stand together in our faith by the Holy Spirit, we think, act, and believe as one integrated Body (Philippians 1:27, 2:2).
While the Holy Spirit sanctifies each one of us, we learn to conduct our self as an example of the gospel of Christ. We prefer one another above our self (Romans 12:10), and we search God’s Word together to come to a similar understanding of God’s desire for our particular church (Acts 17:11).
When one of us suffers, we all suffer; and when one of us rejoices, we are all happy for that one (1 Corinthians 12:26). As authentic Believers, we are an example of those who worship God in spirit and in truth both individually and corporately (Colossians 1:15).
The Spirit unifies us with the Father through Christ (John 17:21-22). We share in the unity of the triune God; and we live as an example to the world of a God of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self-control, and faith (Galatians 5:22-23; John 17:21-22).
Prayer:
Father God, help us as Your Body to put on the mind of Christ, to speak the words given to us by Your Holy Spirit, and to follow Your will for each moment of our day. Remind us to find the glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character gives us hope.
Hope prevents us from experiencing shame, because Your love has been poured out into our hearts through Your Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-5). Your purpose for our life is to be conformed to the image of Your Son (Romans 8:29). Restore our relationships within Your Body and unite us as a testimony of Your life and love within us.
Thought for the Day:
Every Born Again person in every tongue, tribe, and nation from every generation since time began will all spend eternity with one another in God’s presence; until then, we all share the same vision to live Godly, and the same purpose to save souls, and the same unity with the triune God.
- John 3:3, 17:21; Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 3:5-7
