United We Stand

It is important for us to know that we can not succeed as a church unless we work together as one. Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

The church is a living organism that comprises of many members in which the failure of one of the members will affect the whole body.

1 Corinthians 12:26-27, "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular".

In our different local assembly, Jesus is the head of His church, you and I are members of His body. We must jealously guide against anything that may bring about division in our midst. 

WHAT CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE DIVISION IN OUR MIDST?

The only factor that may cause division in our midst is when we fail to have one language and one speech as was mentioned in Genesis 11:6-8, "And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city".

WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE ONE LANGUAGE AND ONE SPEECH? 

To have one language and one speech simply means;

1. Not giving room to bitterness, grudges, objections and resentments against one another. 

2. Avoiding unnecessary complaints.

3. When selfish interest is not placed above the joint-interest of the team. 

4. When no one feels he is more spiritual or better than the other.

5. When we do not compete with one another.

6. Avoiding offence and anger against each other.

7. When we do not envy ourselves based on the various blessings of God upon our lives.

8. When honour is duly accorded the rightful quarters and respect is given one to another.

9. When there is no unhealthy comparison within ourselves as a church and other churches.

10. When we tolerate and accept one another just as we are.

11. When attention is given more to the Holy Spirit rather than the flesh.

The list is indeed inexhaustible. Please note, as long as it is in agreement with the fruit of the Holy Spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23, it will lead to unity.

WHAT IS UNITY?

There is no point discussing unity if it has to do with just an individual. The body with its many members are naturally united. 

Unity is usually discussed when two or more separate individuals are involved.

Unity is a word derived from the word 'unit'. However, when many units come together in agreement, then it becomes what is known as unity. 

Unity can therefore be described as jointly united or oneness of several individuals as was found in the trinity. 1John 5:7, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one".

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE UNITED? 

1. We become a formidable force that can not be resisted.

Genesis 11:6, "And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Joshua 23:10, "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you". 

 Leviticus 26:8, "And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword". 

2. Whatever we agree to achieve shall be achieved. 

Matthew 18:18-19, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven". 

3. We have the assurance of answers to our prayers. 

Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them". 

4. We are easily identified as the true disciples of Jesus and this will serve as a means of evangelism.

John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another". 

5. We will experience rapid growth that will amaze the onlookers.

Genesis 11:5-6, "And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

6. Inspirational and transformative testimonies shall abound.

Acts 12:1-17, Peter was arrested by Herod and kept in the prison. But, the church prayed tirelessly for him and the testimony is still ringing till date.

CONCLUSION

We will do exploit and fulfil the purpose of God without struggles if we work together in unity.