Topic: Unity among brethren
Bible Reading: Psalm 132- 135; 1 Corinthians 8.
Memory Verse: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
Unity among brethren involves shared mind, heart, spirit, doctrine, goal and direction centered on Jesus Christ. With Unity, believers will be able to come up with the vision to truly capture the world for Christ because all will have the same goal even if we operate from different geographical zones. However, the reality is that quite a number of Christians are focused on their denomination, region or even parish and so do not get the benefit of shared vision.
We have situations where people take their brethren to court over hierarchical position in the church because they want to be the head of the denomination. They do not remember the word of God in 1 Corinthians 6:5-7 (KJV), “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? [6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. [7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?” This is the position Christians are expected to take and every effort should be to foster love and unity among brethren so that we can jointly expand the kingdom of God on earth and reduce the number of those who are ignorant of the gospel.
Shouldn’t the church members be more concerned about those who may go to hell because they have not heard or truly understood the gospel rather than focus on selfish interest? Believers are generally called to cultivate unity by practicing forgiveness, bearing with one another and seeking to understand each other. This is why the Bible says in Psalm 133:1 (KJV), “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” This is why the Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one just as He and the father are one. He said in John 17:3,18-21 (KJV), “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. [18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. [20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Charity begins at home. Start focusing on unity in every area you are; at home, at work; in church and in all your gathering. If you truly love God, you will love His creature and be ready to foster unity with them above everything else. You need to show love to all the people around you and encourage them to do same to everyone in their sphere of influence. With love, it’s easier to foster unity as each person will be humble and esteem others better than themselves (as stated in Philippians 2:3) thus spreading the joy. Also, we should see unity as a command of the Lord which is to be obeyed by all disciples.
Prayer point:
Father, please, let there be unity among brethren all over the world in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero