HOPE: Spirit of unity

Spirit of Unity

What is the hope for us as people? What is the hope for the church? The obvious and true answer to these questions is JESUS! But what does it look like? What does He desire for us?

Romans 15:5-6 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

One way we do this is to be in harmony with one another.  The kind of harmony that says "I may not agree with you in everything but I am still going to love and accept you." The reality is we all come from different backgrounds with different life experiences that lead us to these places in our lives.

God's Word tells us that it is not fitting to live in conflict with others. It is fitting to live in harmony. I know that we all wear clothes, and some used to fit better than others. If your clothes don't fit you properly, you have two choices: change you or get new clothes. It is the same way in life: if your in conflict with people you either have to change you or change the way you clothe yourself.

When we do these things we can all join together and give praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!

I shared last week about a young lady coming to know Christ, here is a bit of her story:

Last Wednesday during our youth service one of our teens heard the message and decided it was time to invite Jesus into her life.  As she tearfully accepted His grace and forgiveness her life changed.

This special teen has been separated from her parents for some time and has been raised by her grandma. Her grandmother became a Christian about seven years ago through ministry that had taken place on her first nation community. Since that time she has been diligently praying and living her life before God in order to see other family members come to Jesus.  It hasn't always been easy!

Her hope has been in Christ. She has trusted God and walked in unity with her granddaughter all these years. She has had to change the way she approached her granddaughter and has been faithful to get her to youth. Her commitment and prayer was answered this past week.

Can I say there is always hope! 

If you have those you are trying to reach, are you doing all you can to live in harmony even though you don't agree on everything?

If you find yourself in constant conflict with those you are called to love, take a step back and ask: Do I need to change the way I approach things? Do I need to clothe myself differently?