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Maintaining Unity
Historically one of the hardest things for Christians has been maintaining unity. Why? We live in a spiritual environment with an enemy actively seeking to divide our unity, because together we are most effective for Christ. After all, what army can be effective when it is fragmented and divided?
In the Christian faith we are born again into the unity of the Holy Spirit - because God is one. The pertinent question is this: can we maintain what we have already been given? We are instructed to make every effort to do so (Eph 4:3). Here is a thought provoker from Aesop’s Fables:
"A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
United we stand, divided we fall." (The Four Oxen and the Lion).
In the marketplace we have this wonderful opportunity to come together in unity on the basis of our relationship with Jesus. When we meet in workplace fellowships our mix of church and denominational backgrounds is irrelevant to our unity - because unity is based on accepting one another in Christ - Romans 15:7.
Only recently did I realise how fundamental to Jesus redemptive sacrifice was his desire to bring us together...
"Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one" (John 11:52).
How pleasing it is to God for us to come together under His banner of love in community... putting Him and His ways ahead of our own agendas and judgments (Psalm 133). Yet we all face battles with disunity from time to time. The feelings in such circumstances can run very deep. So what are the spiritual arrows we pluck from our quiver at times of unity stress? For me, the cry of my heart to God involves:
What is your experience in such circumstances? You are invited to email your stories for the encouragement of others on the Watchman list. Pete Kentley |
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