8.4.12 "The Priority of Unity"

"The Priority of Unity"

2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23
I Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 20:20-21

Have you noticed the priority of unity in scriptures? This should be a constant priority in everything we do. In today's reading Paul speaks of his joy that the church is growing. In I Corinthians 1:7 he says, "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours..." Think about that! What a joy!

So many times we inflict the self paralysis of feeling unequipped to do what God has called us to do. We need to get it into our head: God has given us everything we need to walk in obedience to his direction. We need to live with this confidence!

In the next breath Paul says, "But, dear brothers, I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won't be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." I Cor.1:10.

Imagine if the Body of Christ gets this. Unity PRECEDES revival. You see it in Acts chapter 2. They were in one accord when the Holy Spirit came. The irony is that sometimes even the desire for the Holy Spirit can be divisive in the church. Everyone wants it their way. How should it be? We should "be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."

When the Body of Christ functions healthily, injury and offenses are "absorbed". In effect, one member comes to the aid of another for the purpose of building the body. Unfortunately, what can often happen is, "I agree that Pastor Greg treated you poorly. You have a right to be angry. We should go to another church." How's that for devotion to unity? We can mistakenly think, "well that's submission to the need of the individual... " Not at all. When dealing with one another we need to constantly acknowledge our purpose as a body and look past the superficial and into what the true need is. We are in the ministry of Reconciliation.

So many times someone will say something that sounds a little wrong, even divisive, but we don't want to correct it because, "well, that takes too much work." "I don't want to cause an argument..." There's a misconception that Unity is absence of conflict. That's not true at all. Unity is conflict with Purpose! Discipleship is conflict with purpose. Maturing in Christ is conflict with purpose. It's a battle with the flesh. It's a battle against human nature.

"Now wait a minute! Paul just told us to stop arguing, and you're telling us that conflict is good!"

Arguing about issues of opinion and selfish ambition are divisive (see Romans 15). But if you are about to walk off the edge of a cliff, my devotion to unity is going to keep you from doing it, even if I have to throw you to the ground to save you. (I sound tough don't I!)

Don't forget about balance. We need to make unity a high priority, but not at the expense of obedience (worship), biblical training(discipleship), ministry involvement, and the great commission. We need to increase our intensity in all of these areas.

Look through "unity goggles" today. What opportunities do you have to build the body of Christ? See what happens.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ