Unity

Dick Millwee

Paul commanded that we “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). What is involved in unity can be found in the first three letters of the word itself – U - N - I, you and I working together in the manner outlined by scripture.

Jesus said: “A house divided against itself will not stand” (Matt 12:25). Satan loves it when we let ourselves turn away from each other over matters of ego spiritual immaturity. Nothing saps the strength and spiritual vitality out of a congregation more than a lack of unity. When a body of God’s people does not function in a unified manner as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12, then what you have is only a spastic dysfunctional body that is useless and ineffective.

Poor attitudes and a lack of love are the instruments that Satan uses to bring about disunity. We become impatient with each other, won’t forgive, keep records of past mistakes, don’t give each other the benefit of doubt, judge motives, have evil suspicions, gossip about one another, avoid one another, and on and on; we do nothing more than drive a wooden stake in the heart of unity. The only victory won because of our pettiness is a victory for Satan! What a sad state when we allow our eternal enemy to use us as his instrument in such an ungodly manner.

Beloved, I cannot change your attitude and behavior nor can you change mine. Let us look to ourselves and love one another as Christ has loved us, and with a tender and sympathetic heart embrace one another and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. We can do this if we let Christ live in our heart.