The Blessings of Unity
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
— Philippians 4:1-2
Unity amongst God’s people can be difficult to find! Many churches have members who are locked in painful struggles for power and control while the world around them is headed for a Christ-less eternity in hell. Sometimes it seems like we think the measures used by the world to see if we are truly Christians are knowledge, sound doctrine, size of our church or how much money we have. Here is what the Lord Jesus Christ says is the barometer of the reality of our relationship with Him that the world sees: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) Yes, we do need the right doctrine and the right practices, but if we do not have love, we have become “as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1 Cor. 13:1).
Unity based on love – for each other (John 13:34), for God (1 Cor. 8:3), for the truth (Zech. 8:19; 1 John 3:18) – is a wonderful thing! “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1) Are you striving today to “be of the same mind in the Lord” with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
· Are you actively seeking to be in unity with other Christians, especially those in your church’s fellowship?
· Ask God to help you have more love in your heart for other Christians, for God, and for the truth.
