I Am a Unifying Church Member

I Am a Unifying Church Member – Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Paul is in a Roman jail, but he is a prisoner of the Lord. Paul realizes his circumstances are the work of the Lord that he can be a witness of Christ to the Gentiles, kings, and rulers. This unity Paul is speaking of is so important that if he does not get the point across, Jews and Gentiles will not come together.

Working and walking together in Unity is a necessity, not an option!

What does the world see when we are not unified? I’m not saying we don’t have disagreements but there is always a way to conduct ourselves, especially in the presence of unbelievers. Romans 12:17 17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Unity is not identicalness.

Why is it hard work to stay in unity of the Spirit in peace inside the church? Sometimes because of Gossip. Romans 1:28-32 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Gossip can destroy the unity in a church.

Unity can be destroyed easily by gossip in the church, but forgiveness will foster unity in the church. Forgiveness is a central component of believers living in harmony with one another in the local church. In fact, the way we forgive says something about the way we understand our own forgiveness. Jesus said, in Matthew 6:14-15 14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Paul spoke directly to the church folk in Colossians 3:12-13 “12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Worthy Unity Walk – vs. 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Worthy Unity Walk- walking is a continual progression going forward in Christ. The Lord expects us to act like the new persons we have become in Christ.

Romans 8:29 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Hebrews 3:1–2 1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

Philippians 3:14 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

It costs us nothing for salvation, it is a gift from God. It will cost us everything to follow Him! The Calling requires a Worthy Unity Walk with God and each other.

Cost of Unity – vss. 2-3 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It costs us our fleshly attitude to be able to walk in the “Unity of the Spirit.” “2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love”

Endeavoring to keep the unity- always striving with determination, always working to grow in spiritual maturity to overcome obstacles for the sake of “Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”.

We do not work to create unity; we work to keep unity!

2 Cor. 5:14 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.”

Eph 1:4 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Eph. 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

1 Cor. 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Col. 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

What can I do this week to help keep Unity in the Body of Christ?

· Don’t engage in gossip.

· Forgive when you’ve been wronged. And ask for forgiveness if you have contributed to division in the church.

· Let Love Rule.

1 Cor. 13:

4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8Love never fails.

13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.