The Call to Unity
“They raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them’” (Acts 4:24, NKJV).
God has expressed a deep desire for unity amongst His people. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Since the very beginning, Satan has set out to destroy unity in marriages, families, societies and nations. It began with the relationship Adam and Eve had with God, and with each other as husband and wife. It has continued throughout time, and especially within the church.
The only way to overcome the blockages is to fix our eyes on Jesus, who is first and foremost in our lives. Jesus is our perfect example of crossing barriers. Although a Jew, He conversed with a Samaritan woman. Although a King, He came to those in poverty. Although perfect in every way, He chose to “hang” with sinners.
Our God plays no favorites! The Apostle Peter, when he came to understand this, said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34b, 35). God wants everyone, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity, to hear the gospel and believe, and together with other believers, follow Him.
The power of unity was prevalent in the lives of the disciples and of the believers in the early church, and they saw mighty acts of God: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:42, 43) And later, in Acts 4:32, 33: “All the believers were one in heart and mind… With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”
Let us then, today, choose to put aside our differences and focus on Jesus. Let us raise our voices in one accord to the One whom we have in common. Let us come together and pray for the body of Christ in all nations, and witness the power of unity.
Prayer: Father, we love You and thank You that You are no respecter of persons, but that You call us to unity, firstly with Yourself, and also with others in the body of Christ. Help us today to imitate Your Son, Jesus, allowing no prejudice, nor any barrier, to hinder the work You long to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Questions: Why does unity not always come naturally to us? When have you experienced remarkable unity with other believers?
Quote of the Day: “We don’t like to focus on the devil. We don’t want to give him any glory. Yet, in failing to heed the warning of Scripture that the devil actually ‘prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8), we find ourselves consumed (‘devoured’!) by all kinds of irritations in one another and in the church” ~ Gail Rodgers. Read the article: The Hurting Church
About the Author: Brigitte Straub
Unity is not impossible. I have seen it in operation between different denominations working for God’s good and not their own. One must set one’s self aside and do things for God’s Glory and purpose alone.
Unity is a hard one. When Christian churches in a small town can not achieve unity How can we expect out siders to be united. I was part of a fellowship in Machester who were linked with united in the city and am now in a church that is linked to Churches together. I find the meeting centre on oh look at us and what we are doing in our churches as apposed to lets work together in the town. so much talk so little time to allow God to change the hearts of the lonley person, the single parent, the homeless ect ect.
Prayer is the way to unity
Thank you Patti, and everyone else for sharing about what unity means to you and how we can appropriate unity into our churches, as well as our personal lives. May we all walk in love for eachother, building eachother up in the Name of Jesus. It is only by the power of His blood that we may stand together and lift up His Name in one accord. Have a blessed day!
This subject of unity is one that has been the focus of our church for the past while. I am amazed how God has brought devotionals like this one and others, comments from people along this same subject. Our church is planning a combined service with another church not of our faith in our community soon. We are laying aside our doctrinal differences, and focusing on Jesus. Our aim is to bring people into an atmosphere where they will hear of Jesus, but not feel threatened by specific doctrinal issues, or by the rituals of “church” as we know it today, which is not especially how God built His church. This is what we all need to do. Even in the situation Ann referred to. We need to let go and let God heal our wounds. To practice forgiveness to others. This is easy to say, and hard to do. I went through a similar experience in my life not once, but a couple of times with my partner not being faithful to me. It is hard, and takes a long time to forgive, but God can take bad things that happen and turn them to good, just as he did with Joseph, if we turn the reigns over to Him. May God Bless you in whatever ministry He has called you to,
Patti
This does not mean that I have perfected this in my life. I am striving for it daily.
Unity is important across the board.
John 17 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
[AMP at Lockman] [The Lockman Foundation] [Amplified at Zondervan] [Zondervan]
John 17
1WHEN JESUS had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify You.
2[Just as] You have granted Him power and authority over all flesh (all humankind), [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.
3And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
4I have glorified You down here on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.
5And now, Father, glorify Me along with Yourself and restore Me to such majesty and honor in Your presence as I had with You before the world existed.
6I have manifested Your Name [I have revealed Your very Self, Your real Self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed and kept Your word.
7Now [at last] they know and understand that all You have given Me belongs to You [is really and truly Yours].
8For the [uttered] words that You gave Me I have given them; and they have received and accepted [them] and have come to know positively and in reality [to believe with absolute assurance] that I came forth from Your presence, and they have believed and are convinced that You did send Me.
9I am praying for them. I am not praying (requesting) for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they belong to You.
10All [things that are] Mine are Yours, and all [things that are] Yours belong to Me; and I am glorified in (through) them. [They have done Me honor; in them My glory is achieved.]
11And [now] I am no more in the world, but these are [still] in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep in Your Name [[a]in the knowledge of Yourself] those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We [are one].
12While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [[b]in the knowledge and worship of You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and protected, and not one of them has perished or is lost except the son of perdition [Judas Iscariot--the one who is now doomed to destruction, destined to be lost], that the Scripture might be fulfilled.(A)
13And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].
14I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.
15I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.
16They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.
17Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
18Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth.
20Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
24Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [as Your gift to Me] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me [Your love gift to Me]; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You and has failed to recognize You and has never acknowledged You, I have known You [continually]; and these men understand and know that You have sent Me.
26I have made Your Name known to them and revealed Your character and Your very [c]Self, and I will continue to make [You] known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be in them [felt in their hearts] and that I [Myself] may be in them.
Footnotes:
1. John 17:11 Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament.
2. John 17:12 Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament.
3. John 17:26 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
Cross references:
1. John 17:12 : Ps 41:9; John 6:70
Nothing but God’s help can us dissolve disunity in the church and replace it with his love and unity . . . Chris and Ann, I don’t know what the answer is for each of you BUT GOD DOES and I will pray for you for 28 days that you receive his guidance . . . I am on the 14th day of prayer (15 minutes) daily for resolving forgiveness in my life. It is drawing me closer to Christ and helping me face some things I never thought that I could. Praise God for his help in changing our lives and for answers to unanswerable questions ! Annie
A very good devotion Brigitte…and one that certainly spoke to my heart. I also read Gail’s article on unity in the church and with one another under “Quote of the day”.
I sense some weaknesses in myself when it comes to unity, and am seeking God’s guidance and wisdom as I seek his will in my life.
Father God, thank you for this devotion today, and for the additional article on unity. Bless Brigette and Gail in a special way for sharing with us. I confess dear Lord, that I haven’t always used wisdom in dealing with difficult situations around me, especially in the church. Forgive me, and help me to do your will, and to follow the advice of these two ladies in the future. Pour your spirit upon me and enpower me to live so that others see Jesus in me. I praise you Lord!
I need some advice for an older couplein their sicxties. who I am ministering to. They have been married a long time and much trouble has been in their unit, The precious woman has stayed because they both are in leadership and over a group of people in ministry. To keep the gospel blameless, she the wife has chosen to remain in the marriage. They have always been able to keep going. She is the most remarkable woman I’ve ever seen and I’ve cried and prayed with her as well as blead with her with her issues. there is a new situation that has torn her. Her husband has given her Herpes and I’ve never seen her so bitter and so broken. She has pulled herself from everyone and is so silent. I am sure she is praying for guidance knowing the love she has for Christ as well as his people. Please pray for her. If anyone has any advice on how I can sooth her besides praying for her and with her please advise me. What do I say? Is there a scripture. My heart is torn with her because they both are some great people. I too, am praying that my heart doesn’t change for him …but I must admit I am so bitter with him at this time. this woman is a diamond. I need some help. It seems that so many things happens to women or men like this. How do you tell someone to remain in unity with an issue like this. I am finding many married couples are against this same spirit that is destroying the homes.I too am over a womwn’s group. What do I say? With situations like this how do yu tell the women or men to stay in place? Ann Davis
This devotions on “unity” makes me think back to when I went to summer camp years ago. It was a Christian camp sponsored by my Church. I went from age 6-19, and it was always the highlight of my year. I remember after a week of chaple services morning and evening and being around other believers I would always leave camp on a “Jesus High”. It really is so much easier to stay focused on Christ when you are living in His word morning and night, and your company is fellow Christians. But in reality this is not always possible. It is very importaint to be around non-believers as well. We still need to show them the way to Jesus.
Lord, help me to stay strong in You as I encounter others around me. Help them to see a difference in the way I live my life. I want to be set apart and not fall into satan’s trap. Lord, help me to sand up and not follow the croud, and to stay united with You. Amen
Unity is a good thing. It is so easy to be united with other Christians, the area that I have most trouble is when I encounter a drunk.My whole attitude changes. With me being on a fixed income, I go to a lot oof places that deal with poor and homeless peaple, which I have no problem with and I can sit and talk to a street person who is eating at the same place I am,whether it be the SALVATION ARMY or the SOUP KITCHEN. I have a lot of friends among these people and we will hug each other when we met. but when I come accross a Drunk I really have a problem with being around them.
I PRAY that I can become that God grants me the ablity to deal with these people kindly.