Unity

A very timely message given my venture into Jon and Kate's lives.

I heard a very timely sermon yesterday about unity. Our pastor gave many scriptural references to the importance of unity in a church and in relationships. I know I have heard many times how marriage is to mirror the church, but sometimes the same old thing said at different times in my life resonates differently.

The pastor explained that we know what divides a church: Lack of unity. We know that when people talk about all the faults of the pastors and the church that it causes divisiveness. If you have a problem with the church (pastor or policy) it is your responsibility as a believer to go directly to that person. By gossiping and “venting” (I consider venting to be a Christian’s excuse to gossip) you are dividing what God has created.

In the same way, a Godly marriage requires unity. If you believe that God has joined you together with your spouse as a mirror to the church, the relationship needs to be taken seriously. If you have a problem with your spouse, you go to the source. Going elsewhere is divisive. The pastor said that God’s spirit is only present when there is unity.

He also went on to talk about the possibly of disagreements in the midst of unity. He used the example of his disagreements with a young, more modern, pastor in the church. Yes, they disagree on issues at times. But then he said something very important: he is for that other pastor regardless because both of them are for the Lord.

I took from this that if you allow divisiveness to enter into your marriage, you are not allowing God to show himself in your marriage. How can other people see God in you if you are divided. You’ve been in churches or around people who are divided and you know that they are not turning you in God’s direction. Be wary of those that cause divisiveness. They are not encouraging the spirit of the Lord to live in your relationships.