MAINTAINING UNITY AND ONENESS WHEN DIVISION IS EASY (2)

Focus Thought: In these devotions I have really been talking about relationships. The truth is that, even though this is our place of employment and we must be professionals at all time, we are nevertheless in relationship with one another looking to achieve the singular mission of - “Training students to live for Christ today, so they may live with Him for eternity”

WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT STAYING COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING UNITY WHEN CONFLICT ARISES – Ephesians 4:1-3

Ephesians 4:3 ESV

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eager Means: to do something with intense effort and motivation: having a vested interest in something

So, I need to be eager because I understand that in order for the Lord’s mission to be accomplished at RCA (or my home, family, church) I must fight hard to do whatever I need to do, to keep peace.

QUESTION: HOW CAN I REMAIN EAGER TO KEEP PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TENSIONS?

Paul says in v1

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

I. I Need to Fight to Always See Myself As A Prisoner (slave) of the Lord.

As His slave I work for Him. Therefore, I cannot have an opinion that is not His opinion and I am not free to act in ways that are not worthy of what He commands - even in the midst of conflict. If I do, I am not honoring the Lord.

1. This is important because when we are in conflict or when there is some kind of tension, it is easy AND natural, to respond out of the flesh (or out of our feelings).

NEXT - V2

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

II. I Need to Fight to Always Do Everything I Can to See the Other Person’s Perspective HONESTLY (Ephesians 4:2)

I say “honestly” because we can listen to others, not to listening to learn, but, waiting to respond. That is not honesty in conflict.

Paul uses specific words for seeing the other persons perspective:

humility - considering others more significant that yourself (See Phil 2:3-4)

gentleness - to speak with healing, not harsh words

patience - to remain calm in difficult situations

bearing with one another - to behave with calmness with difficult people

NEXT

Proverbs 15:13 ESV

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

III. I Need to Fight Always to Watch What I Allow My Mind to Dwell On In Conflict (Proverbs 15:13)

If I allow my mind to constantly focus on the negative of people, my work, the students, etc., these negative thoughts will eventually shape a negative attitude and produce negative actions towards people, my work, the students, etc. Therefore, when I am ready to think negatively I need to remind myself of this statement:

“Sow an action; reap a habit. Sow a habit; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny” (J.I. Packer, Rediscovering Holiness)

James 4:1 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Arguments depend on people far more than on the subject matter

FINALLY - “THANK GOD”

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10 ESV

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

IV. I Need to Fight to Remember How Jesus Settled God’s Dispute with Me (Romans 5:6, 8, 10)

JESUS DIED SO WE COULD HAVE PEACE WITH GOD:

While we we morally weak (Romans 5:6)

While we were active rebelling against God (Romans 5:8)

While we were God’s enemies (Romans 5 10)

Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord I should always respond to conflict by dying to the sinful, and personal and hurtful ways in which I really, really, really, want to respond.