Unity (The Countdown: 2 Days)

The last two roots are the cornerstones of this entire series. The one I will discuss tomorrow is a perception of life, a principle of how to live. Today's root is a crucial part of the last three roots. Because this root is so crucial to who I am as a person, I will not be writing much about it. I have decided that I would rather let the scripture speak and let the Holy Spirit enlighten.

The fourth root is unity.

First here are just a few verses from the Bible that highlight the importance of unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

Both of these verses highlight the importance of unity. Now I want you to think of the local congregations in your area or the churches you have attended in the past. Then ask yourself these questions:

• Does this congregation strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, and live in peace? 2 Corinthians 13:11
• Does this community exist in an atmosphere of harmony, sympathy, brotherhood, kindness, and humility? 1 Peter 3:8
• Does this church make every effort to keep itself united in the Spirit, binding itself together with peace? Ephesians 4:3

Now lets take this one step further.

Ask yourself these questions, but this time, instead of asking them about the local congregation or the church you attend, ask them about yourself.

The reason why the church does not act in the way the Bible demands we act, is because we do not function or act in unity.

Why do we not strive for unity?

I think its because too many of us have either never read or taken to heart Romans 14:1.

"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters."

How many believers can you think of that follow this principle? The principle of the weaker brother is so important to keeping unity within the Church. Romans 14 continues in this way:

"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat."

We do not live in unity because we are self-seeking. We must remember that "none of us lives for ourselves alone." We don't even die for ourselves. As Christians we have heard the precept described in the end of this chapter

We need to examine this chapter again and take it to heart. There needs to be a return to unity in our daily lives so that we can bring it back into the church and allow the world to see the Truth.