Unity of the Church
Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Unity of the body of Christ is a fundamental doctrine that is manifested in the oneness of believers on their common covenant relationship with God. Unity is based in all those who have their common salvation in Christ that results from having obeyed the Gospel through baptism into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Apostle Paul admonished the church at Corinth that they should be of one mind and speak same thing when he noticed there are some divisions among the brethren. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Apostle Paul pleaded with them on the foundation of the authority of Jesus that was invested in him. The fact that all Christians have submitted to one Lord is the foundation upon which unity must prevail
Christian maturity is characteristic of those who have learned not to use personalities, opinions or traditions as an occasion for division as these were many of the causes of division along the brethren. Christ is one so also holy spirit.. If the holy spirit solely guide the church then there shouldn't be division among the brethren.
Jesus prayed for unity in John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 17:21 That they all 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.
Jesus turned to those who were beyond His immediate company. He prayed for all those who would in the future be His disciples through the preaching of the apostles that they may be united in the world that proceed out of his mouth and communicated through the apostles just as Him and the father is one.
Christ foresee there would latter be division among the believers where many will be separated by self inducted doctrines and teachings which are different from truth He gave.
Believers must be conscious of the devices of the devil in dividing the body of Christ as this will make the church of God less powerful in unanimously fighting against the works of the devil in the end time.
Some of the causes of disunity includes false teachers, arguments over opinions, misapplying the scriptures, carnal thinking, argumentative attitudes, binding traditions and opinions and finally, compelling others to submit to legalistic doctrines.
The church can never progress and fight the end time enemy while still divided in jealousy, hatred, pride, selfishness and vainglory.
The church must be one just as Christ and the father is one.
Seek unity in truth instead of division in lies and deceit of the devil.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, unite your church in the world in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, destroy every plans of the devil bringing division to the body of Christ in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for snared prayers in Jesus Christ name. AMEN.