Bible Reading: Psalm 132,133,134; 1 Corinthians 11:18-34
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
Shortly before He left the earth Jesus prayed for His disciples and also for those who will believe His word through them in John 17:21 (KJV), “That they 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.” This prayer of our Lord is still working forever in the body of Christ; however, hell has intensified its plan to cause discord among the brethren so as to weaken the operation of the Spirit of God among His people.
The early church grew largely because God has ordained His church for growth (Matthew 16:18) and because of the unity among the brethren. The Holy Spirit works mightily in and among us when we work together in unity. As the church grew and Gentiles being converted, the enemy caused divisions among and within the church. Paul implored the brethren in many verses to love and forbear one another if they are to continue in unity. Colossians 3:12-13 (KJV) says, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.” Again, the bible says in Ephesians 4:2 (KJV), “With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.”
Forbearance helps promote unity in the kingdom. Forbearance is creating a psychological system of accommodation for the weaknesses, limitations, the imperfections, flaws in perspectives as far as human relations is concerned because in the body of Christ you will meet people who are of different backgrounds. While Christ is working on us all to grow into His nature and stature we must learn to create a system that accommodates all till Christ is fully formed in them.
Forbearance is more than forgiveness; forbearance means that limitation will happen again and again and again. For example, someone with anger issues when converted it will still take some years to fully drop that weight. Pending when Christ fully delivers him/her, forbearance will help us work with such persons and in the course of it you will be amazed to see wonderful qualities never before seen in these ones because the devil wants to destroy them through that weakness of anger. Some are arrogant, shy, insecure, confident, over-confident, etc. God created all kinds of people and has decided to use them as frail and weak as they are. If God has decided to use them like He did Moses, yours is to line up with these ones in forbearance and love.
Remember, there are no perfect vessels. You must make room to work with people in the body of Christ. Do not fight because you disagree on perspectives, doctrines or approach. Maintain a culture of forbearance. Unity does not mean uniformity. No! we will never do the same thing. Neither does it mean the same level of accuracy or approach. Unity means the same goal. Even in our limitations, Christ must be and remains the same goal.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the grace to walk in love and forbearance in the body of Christ.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu