Unity
in Your Community
Biblical
Priority #6 Love One Another
by
Suzie M.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to 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.” Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV
Maintaining unity in my relationships
has been somewhat of a struggle for me as an adult. In college, I was the girl who “told it like
it was.” I thought nothing of
belittling, making fun, or even going off on someone. As I entered the workforce, it didn’t get any
better. I was ruthless and I thought I
was always right. I still told people
the “honest” truth, no matter how ugly it was and I did not sugar coat
anything. My marriage looked about the
same. Fortunately, God used the birth of
my first child to change my ways.
Once I recommitted my life to Christ
and began living out my faith, I began to produce gentleness and patience and
love. Don’t get me wrong, I still have
my moments. However, through the grace
and love of God, I am becoming the woman God created me to be.
God created all of us to be
relational. We have an inner desire to
have relationships with people. Our
first relationship should be God, our spouse next, then children, and finally
everyone else. Sometimes we let our
sinful nature take over and we have disagreements with one another. God does not want this for his body of
believers. We are to make every effort to
live in peace in our relationships. This
is how we are “one” body of Christ.
More people leave the church over
relational issues than any other. I
think this is so sad. We are a
family. We are one body with many parts
and yet sometimes we don’t think twice about cutting off an “arm” or a
“leg." People want you to listen,
encourage, serve and be a friend to them.
We have to take off our selfish ambition and put others first. We are 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.” Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV
If you have an issue with anyone, you
need to address it today. It doesn’t
matter who is right or wrong, but it is wrong to not be unified. It’s wrong to be creating discord. Your family of God must be a part of your
life. They are your brothers and sisters
in Christ. I John 1:6 says, “But if we
are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with
each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.“
Challenge:
We are all sinners, no one is perfect.
Extend grace and patience and love and be united with your
“family." Resolve all conflicts
today.
