“You are joined together with peace through the spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way (v3)
It is your job to protect the unity of your church. Unity is the soul of, fellowship. Destroy it and you rip the heart out of Christian Body. It is the essence, the cove, of how God intends for us to experience life together in His Church. Read Eph 4:3. Note:
- Focus on what we have in common not over differences. Read Rom 14:19. As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one Spirit, one baptism, one hope, one faith and one love (Rom 10:12; 12:4-5) 2. Be realistic in your expectations. Once you discover what God intends, real fellowship to be, it is easy to become discouraged by the gap between the ideal and the real. 3. Choose to encourage rather than criticize. It is always easier to stand on the sideline and take shots at those who are serving than to make a contribution Read (Rom 14:13; Jas 4:11; Eph 4:29, Matt 5:19; Jas 5:9) 4. Refuse to listen to gossip. Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. People who gossip to you will gossip about you. They cannot be trusted. Prov11:14; 16:28 5. Practice God’s Method for conflict resolution. Jesus gave three steps Read (Matt 18:15-17a) This is instructive 6. Support your pastor and leaders. There are no perfect leaders, but God gives leaders the responsibility and the authority to maintain the unity of the church Read (Heb 13:17; 2Tim 2:14; 23:26, Phil 4:2,Titus 2:15; 3:2,10-11; 1Cor 10:24 (Rick Warren)
PRAYER LINE: There is a treasure you can own, That’s greater man a crown or throne; This treasure is a conscience clear That brings the sweetest peach and cheer – Isenhour.
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A good conscience is one of the best friends you’ll ever have.