Unity in Christ means…

  
When two people are united in marriage, it is expected that they have strong affection for one another but also common interests. Many do. They both like similar foods, or sports, or television shows and so on. If it turns out that that they share nothing in common, the term “incompatible” is heard it a divorce court and they go their separate ways. Emotions alone were not enough to keep them together.

Even in a relationship with a friend, there is some sort of union in purposes and thoughts and desires. No matter how enthusiastic our expressions of love and emotions are, there can be no real oneness between us unless we have some likes and dislikes, purposes and ideals In common Today’s reading says that union with Christ is not a matter of emotions. Oneness with Christ means being made a partaker of His nature, His very mind and life. It also means that we agree on how to do things.

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:4–6)

The reading adds that this is about my very character and how it lines up with His. Because of union with Jesus, sweetness, gentleness, meekness, patience, long-suffering, charity, and kindness should be natural and not strange, and not about how I feel but about who I am. Feelings are okay and His joy is a blessing, but if feelings are absent, the reality is still there.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

For this reason, I need to be aware of thinking strong emotions of love and joy are proof that I am one with Christ. The proof is not about emotions but about what God says is true. As John wrote and as the rest of the NT agrees, if I say I am abiding in Him and united to Him, then I must walk as He walked and live as He lived.

PRAY: Jesus, I know that I do not walk perfectly as You, but when I stumble, my union with You remains. It depends on what is true according to Your redeeming power, not based on my feelings or my performance. This truth not only motivates me to grow but also gets me out of a lot of deep dark places. Thank You.

Spiritual Unity

 

In our many moves and attending many churches, the unity in our current place of worship is amazing. It even shows up in budget presentation meetings where members and non-members are given opportunity to speak, but in more than twelve years, I’ve heard less than three comments or questions. Not only that, those who attend either make complaints to the right people or never complain. Numbers are growing, baptisms are happening, and people are trusting Jesus and becoming more like Him. We are so thankful to God for our unity. This makes me say ‘Amen’ to the title of today’s devotional:  Unity in the Spirit is the key to a church’s overall effectiveness.

Unity is a crucial element in the life of any church. This is important in church leadership as well as in those who make up the rest of the church body. In unity, we can know and do the will of God, but disunity would cripple or destroy us. MacArthur says that no church is immune to disunity’s subtle attacks because these often arise from personality clashes or pride rather than doctrinal issues. In other words, we can agree on our statement of faith, but if we walk according to the flesh (that old nature) and push to be right or have our way about everything, our unity is severely threatened.

Our congregations and ministry teams are a mix of diverse backgrounds and temperaments, ethnic and culture extremes, and everything from small children to people in their eighties and nineties. This means various skills and ministry ideas that could be potential for strife — apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples were the first example. They included an impetuous fisherman (Peter), two passionate and ambitious “sons of thunder” (James and John), an analytical, pragmatic, and pessimistic man (Philip), a racially prejudiced man (Bartholomew), a despised tax collector (Matthew), a political Zealot (Simon), and a traitor (Judas, who was in it only for the money and eventually sold out for thirty pieces of silver). This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen yet their unity in Christ (except for Judas) rose above their individual differences. By the grace of God, the Lord accomplished through them what they never could have accomplished on their own.

I am part of the Body of Christ, a group of diverse people that are given the great task of finishing the work Jesus began. We need to be united or it will not happen. Our spiritual enemy tries to stir up strife, but God encourages us:

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1–5)

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:16)

Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1–6)

Our unity is a God-thing. Compared to the rest of the world, this unity is not about agreement on every detail. It comes from our God who is over us and through us and in us. When I drop my personal wants and wishes, then I will fill my role in being a functioning part of this oneness that comes from Him. He alone can bring great unity in and among people of great diversity.

Lord Jesus, You came to bring peace and these Scriptures describe how that can and does happen. As we walk with You, our minds are united to do Your will, to bless others, to not focus on differences, and even to think the same thoughts and have the same goals. Our prayer and Bible study times are rich with harmony and even when we don’t see things the same way, that is not enough to shatter the unity that Your Spirit gives by grace. What a great wonder that the God who is One can make His people One through the power of His love!

NOTE what Paul had to say 1 Corinthians 3 about the disunity in that church.