Philippians 2:2-3 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”.
Paul says in Colossians 3:14, “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
One of the signs of the spiritual decline of the Church is disunity among Christians.
Amongst Christians, there can be differences of opinion on matters which are ‘non-essentials’, but Christians should not use them as reasons to justify divisions in the church. If not careful, the love of God in our hearts will be replaced by the pride of life. Pointing fingers at one another will not solve any problems; rather, one should show forth an ttitude of humility and sincerity, to work together for unity and the extension of God’s kingdom.
What is it that unites God’s people?
Firstly, it is the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross that has brought us to union with one another in the faith.
Secondly, it is the essential doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ that will give meaning to what it is to live the Christian life that God would expect of us. The blood of Christ has also brought us into a common heritage as stated in Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”.
We who are united by the blood of Christ are not enemies with one another but to seek the same thing that God wants in each of us and that is to love one another as Christ commanded us. Disunity begins in the heart when we distance from one another which is an ignorance of God’s call of unity and love within the body of Jesus Christ.
What should we do to bring unity?
We need to look at ourselves and into our own hearts, to examine the intent and purpose of our hearts and comparing our hearts with the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ to the end that we may realize that it is us and not Christ who need to change. The need for unity in the church is to live out God’s Word in our lives as stated in Philippians 2:2—to be likeminded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind.
“Ye be likeminded”, is to attain if possible the same sentiments, opinions, ideas and plans to the end and to be in the same work of soul winning.
“Having the same love” though opinions and views may differ from one another, our love for Christ, love for His word and love towards one another should not flinch.
“Being of one accord” and “of one mind” means of one heart and soul without outward strive and contentions.
And brothers and sisters-in-Christ, may this be our prayer, “O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace. Take away hatred and prejudice and whatever that may hinder us in Tabernacle BPC from unity of the godly sort, may we be found with much endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; that we may be of one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
Pastor Douglas Ho