Jesus prayed that we are one. How can believers in Christ be united? It is not uniformity looking exactly the same, but different people under one Christ, all with the identity of Christ. All abiding in Jesus, loving, serving, praying. So how can believers in Christ be united? That’s a great question.
Christians, Be United
We Christians must have unity with each other or we will be dysfunctional and disabled Christians. We will not be doing the will of God, and our witness is muted. Christian disunity is rooted in selfishness.
James 3:16 ESV For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Satan Hates Unity
Satan hates our unity. You can see Satan winning when Christians choose to watch only online church, don’t attend their small group, put other activities above church in importance, gossip, separate over worldly politics. Satan wants us to believe lies. Satan wants us to feel offended, and be vengeful and unforgiving. Offenses come to all but living offended is avoidable. Satan wins when we are too busy to pray and do Bible study so we are not abiding in Jesus. Our minds and bodies actually enjoy what Satan offers. Our spirits are saved now but not our minds and bodies.
Our Words
Our words can worship, buildup and give life. But our words can also give death and permanently damage relationships. Are your words giving life or death? How bad does Jesus feel when we trash talk His bride the Church?
Words that kill:
– Gossip
– Anger and venting
– Criticism and complaints
– Lying
What comes out of our mouth comes from our mind. Words that kill a church group: too little truth, too much gossip. Our words can be very evil as if they are spoken by Satan.
James 3:6-9 ESV And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell… no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Disagreeing with Others
Disagreeing with others is not hate. Separating from people and not communicating is hate. Without conversation we get hatred and division. We can stand up for truth but be tender with people. Speak with love, with the heart of God.
Concluding Advice
Know and avoid being influenced by Satan. The solution is to let Jesus clean your mind, and abide in Jesus. Speak in the Spirit and be unselfish. Be slow to speak, knowing that you have a weapon that can kill. Blessing people with our words is permanent. Seek to build up not tear down. Try to out bless each other. Speak peace. Speaking words from the Bible brings power. With His Word God created, raised to life, healed, gave life, and criticized evil. Do all in love.
John 17:20-21 ESV I … ask for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV …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, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…
