Unity With One Another

1 Peter 4:7-11  " The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."



       The world is a divided place in all kinds of areas but 'the church' should be a united front for The Gospel and the fulfillment of The Great Commission.  God knew how our personalities and own agendas would try to interfere with His work through us so I think that is why 1/3 of the 'one another' commands in the New Testament deals with the unity of the church.  We should all strive to think of others before ourselves and when we do, unity will follow. "Misunderstandings and disagreements occur everywhere we find people. Church is no exception. If we don’t handle our differences in a healthy way, they can harden into divisions." "God's goal is cooperation, not competition." odb.org  
       As the verse above says 'love covers over a multitude of sins', so let us show the same forgiveness, compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience with others, as God has blessed ourselves with.   May we live out what we sing about... "We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity will one day be restored.  We will walk hand in hand and together we'll spread the news that God in our land.  We will work side by side and we'll guard each other's dignity and save each other's pride. And they'll know we are Christians by our love."
       Galations 6:10  "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

    

Specific 'One Another' Verses on Unity....

1. Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)
2. Don’t grumble among one another (Jn 6:43)
3. Be of the same mind with one another (Ro 12:16, 15:5)
4. Accept one another (Ro 15:7)
5. Wait for one another before beginning the Communion (1 Co 11:33)
6. Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another with quarrels and animosity (Ga 5:15)
7. Don’t boastfully challenge or envy one another (Ga 5:26).
8. Gently, patiently tolerate one another (Ep 4:2)
9. Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another (Ep 4:32)
10. Bear with and forgive one another (Co 3:13)
11. Seek good for one another, and don’t repay evil for evil (1 Th 5:15)
12. Don’t complain against one another (Jas 4:11, 5:9)
13. Confess sins to one another (Jas 5:16)

     What a list to strive for!!  We can't achieve it on our own but with the Holy Spirit guiding us.. all things are possible through Christ.  May His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.