3. Eager to maintain the unity

1Corinthians 1:10  I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:1-7     I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32     Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalms 133:1    Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

1 Peter 3:8-9    Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Romans 12:16     Live in harmony with one another.

1 Corinthians 6:7  Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?

I heard on the Back to the Bible radio “Unity is something you keep”.  We are to be the light shinning in a dark world.  We are to show hope, love, generosity, kindness, faith, peace, long-suffering, and patience.  How is this shown when there is division amongst those who are to show the world what righteous, holy, humble, God honoring living looks like?

Division comes from an issue that is hammered out in pride not love.  Division leads to gossip, rumors, and non-love actions.  Division is a tool of Satan and the problem is most of the time he does not even have to use it because of a prideful spirit lodged within the person.  Think about when the Israelites were in the wilderness and scripture tells us the people grumbled against God.  You have to realize that there was a first person who spoke up and many who then followed.  The same happens when division occurs.  A person speaks up in a manner that does not reflect our calling in Christ and others follow.

Do you ever wonder why others follow?  Does it have anything to do with their walk, or lack there of, with God?  Does it have anything to do with there time, or lack there of, in Gods word?

Oh that we would take the path of humbleness, allowing our selves to be wronged, seeking unity in peace and love, finding a way to honor God in the circumstance, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.  As far as is it is with you be at peace with all men.