Unity no matter the cost:


Many Times we see ourselves Going and Doing Things we thought we would never do, But as we see in the Early Church they did many things and tolerated whatever to Keep the Unity. Phil. 1 [18] So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!  We See that No matter ones motives as long as Christ is proclaimed we are to keep the unity in spite of what it takes to do so.

Phil.1 [27] Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, [28] not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. [29] There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. Do we really trust others for the common good? Most of us are worried about things we cannot change, Phil. 1 [9] So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings [10] so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: [11] bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

How are we to keep the unity ? Phil. [2:1] If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—[2] then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. [3] Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. [4] Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. If all we are interested in is self-promotion we will never gain unity in his Body.

Unity must start with us , How will unity start with us ? It is out of mutual respect for one another , putting aside our indifference’s and our religious mindsets .Gal. 5-   [4] I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. [5] Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. [6] For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. True love has to be the motivator, without Love and genuine Fellowship in relationship will we be able to see unity the way that it was intended. Everyone who wants to see change in these areas must submit themselves to a mutual respect for the Gifts!! we all are to each other .

Unity in the Holy Spirit: Gal. 5  [16] My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. [17] For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. [18] Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? Unity comes from within not externally in an outward way we look or feel. [19] It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; [20] trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; [21] the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

[22] But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, [23] not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. [24] Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

[25] Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. [26] That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

We all have gifts and talents and abilities , working together opens the door for each one of us to become all that God created us to be. That is why we need each other to accomplish the Greater works as we are led by Holy Spirit.  Unity comes at a price , what does it cost ? Unity will cost you everything , your personal agendas , your unwillingness to work together , Your Mindsets of how things should be done, allowing others to make mistakes in spite of their inability communicate and to meet your expectations .

Unity is the pearl of great price , we must ask ourselves are we ready to open our hearts and minds to come in unity to see the Glory of his Presence manifest in our Midst. 

Blessings!!!
Tom@Glorynow.com