A Family that Functions in Unity Part 1

Sanctuary of Truth

Pastor Terry Nance said, “Satan is not afraid of a big church but a unified church.”

The unity of the local church is strengthened when families function in the unity of Christ.

Now most people’s idea of unity is when everyone always agrees with them and does what they want when they want. But that is not unity as God defines it. To understand what it means to be in Biblical unity or yachad יָחַד is to know what pleases the heart of the Father and refrain from that which displeases the heart of the Father when it comes to relationships one with another. It is to be joined in like mind, like spirit, like heart, like motives, and like living. In John 17:11 Jesus says:

John 17:11 ESV

And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

In this verse, Jesus asks the Holy Father to keep (shamar שָׁמַר to guard) them in His name (Shem - ones nature; character; reputation) while they are in this world and that they become one (yachad - in unity; likeness of Christ) as Jesus and the Father are yachad (of the same heart or mind לֵב, spirit רוּחַ, motive כַּוָּנָה and life חַי).

To understand Father’s expectation of unity, let’s start by looking at a few things that cause disunity. Anything that causes a divided heart is the root of disunity. Now if you are already saying to yourself, “That is right Pastor, get in those people’s chili that are stirring up strife.” You probably mean “those people who do not agree with you.” Then, you may be a key one I am talking to. Because, the problem with disunity in any relationship starts with your heart and flesh, not the other person. And the problem of agreement is not that we need agree with each other but that we should agree with Truth. Not your truth or another’s truth. But there is only one truth and His name is Jesus. Not a cultural Jesus, a denominational Jesus or a Facebook Jesus, but the Jesus we find who is the Word of God.

Think back to times when someone said something, did something, or had an attitude that left you with the feeling of a heart relationally divided. Now, what was it that was at the root of it and how did it leave you no longer wanting relationship with that person at that time?

Most things that cause a heart divided involve:

Sinful Words

Sinful Actions

Sinful Choices

Sinful Attitudes

Look what Jesus says in John 17:12 about those under His leadership:

John 17:12 ESV

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

How did He keep them or guard them? What was He continually trying to teach them? What thinking, attitudes, and heart motives was He constantly confronting? Their relational misconceptions about one another and others. He confronted their justifications, confrontations, communications, accusations, frustrations, and assumptions about each other and others around them. They could not save the lost if they could not love the lost. They could not love the lost if they themselves could not walk in His love one for another.

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The concept here is found in the word “know” or yada יָדַע to have intimate or first hand knowledge from having experienced it personally.

Jesus gives increased understanding in the following verse in John 17 of how we are to lead our families and build His family:

John 17:16–19 ESV

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

We may be in this world bit we are not to be of it, think like, act like it or live like it. Jesus states it here, unity in Christ is fLund in the sanctity of truth. Have you heard the old song, “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary”? The word sanctuary comes from the root word qadash קָדַשׁ meaning “holy”. It is a sanctuary or dwelling place of the Most Holy. Sanctity means the holiness or purity of being sanctified or consecrated belonging to Christ alone; a single sold out monogamous devotion.

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Stop saying, “Well none of us are perfect” as an excuse to be sinful. You are to be a sanctuary and a clean one at that. If Christ were to visit your home, how devoted to truth would He find it? If Christ were to inventory your inner most thought and motives or record your daily words or judge your choices would He find a devotion to truth?

What is this consecration to truth? What exactly is the truth I am supposed to build my life and my household on? What is this truth that I am saying should be my foundation, my guide, the lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path? This truth that should transform, mold and shape my identity, my character, my actions? What is this truth that will keep me and guard my soul in unity with the Father and the Father’s family?

Is your home a sanctuary of truth? Is your dwelling place, the place where God has chosen to make His name dwell within you, a sanctuary of truth? In John 14:6 -

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Are you and your home a Sanctuary of Truth? If not, choose you this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.