October 10, 2013 "Formula for A Unified Church" by Dianne Prince A unified church does not just happen. You cannot gather a group of people under one roof and expect things to automatically run smoothly. A group of live, warm bodies in the same building does not make for a cohesive church unless there is a lot of praying, some unconditional love, a little strategic planning and loads of energy poured into working as one. With so many different members in the church come different ideas and different agendas. People of different backgrounds, different cultures and different thoughts on how things are to be done are a perfect set-up for confusion, mis-understandings, disunity and dis-harmony. Therefore, as a vital member of the body of Christ, you must be intentional to remain unified. You must put forth some effort to keep everyone on the same page, in sync one with another and on one accord. The key to unity is to do what you signed up to do in the church, and to not get distracted by who is not living up to their commitment. Paul says to us, “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) In a unified church, each member will put other members first “endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3). A unified church will put up with one another; speaking the truth in love; not telling a brother or sister what they want to hear; but telling them what they need to hear; speaking words, “always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6) A unified church is not swayed by every wind of doctrine and not influenced by every preacher promising an easy, carefree life. A unified church is not tossed back and forth; not blown here and there by every wind of teaching; is not moved by every gust of wind, by the cunning tricks of men and their deceitful schemes. A unified church stands on God’s word that says, “upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) When the world comes up against a unified church, the church bands together to defend itself from everything that comes along – ill-intentioned people, adverse circumstances, uncontrolled set-backs and negative publicity. A church unified in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, grows together to become a mature church. A mature church is an encouraging church. An encouraging church is a motivated church. And a motivated church is a strong church with a powerful testimony of the power of God. The key to a unified church is to use what you have to edify the body of Christ. As you function within your ability, your assignment and your ministry; as you roll up their sleeves and get busy using the gift God has given you, the work of the church prospers, the people of the church grow closer, and the community around the church wants to become a part of the great things the church has going on. When you stand before God to give an account of your Christian service, the question He is going to ask you is, “What did you do with what I gave you?” God is not going to ask what your neighbor did or did not do. His question is going to be, “What did you do?” The question to ponder today is, “What are you doing with what God gave you?” Let us remain unified in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let each of us do our part and grow together in unity, harmony and love.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 10:02:04 +0000
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