Harmonious Living

"The group of believers were united in their hearts and spirit... In fact, they shared everything. "Acts 4:32 (ncv)

"Live in harmony with one another." Rom.12:16a (niv)

The New Testament talks a whole lot about the unity of the church than about who goes to heaven and hell. It is God's desire that each and every one of us experience oneness and harmony with one another. Like the beating heart and feeling the pulse, "U-N-I-T-Y" is the heart of fellowship; the pulse that keeps life going. DESTROY IT, you rip the heart and stop the pulse out of Christ's body, the church!

If you are not "united" with one another within His body, the church, you're disfellowshiped from Christ! Without the "fellowship of the body", there's no church. A couple of strong points in the Bible:

God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are ONE (united)!
Jesus prayed for UNITY!
The Holy Spirit is the ONE who unites us in LOVE!
God values His church (believers) and sent His Son to pay a heavy price for her!
The church's (believers) responsibility is the PROTECT the UNITY where you FELLOWSHIP!

When a believer distant him/herself from the body, the church, they're hurting Christ! I remember watching a military movie and was impressed with their motto, "Leave No Man Behind; if one goes forward, all go".

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Each believer are called, commissioned by Jesus Christ to preserve the unity and the fellowship among believers. Here are a couple of suggestions that I strongly encourage all believers within His body:

1. Focus on the commonality, not the differences..
God created each of us as unique beings. Each of us are wired differently but we have one thing in common: loving God together! However, the Bible does warn us that there will be people who seeks to destroy the unity of the church through disputes, divisions, differences and distance. God desires interdependence, not independence. There's no "lone-ranger-Christian" but an "army of Christians".

2. Avoid being disillusioned...
People become disillusioned with the church for a couple of "understandable reasons": conflict, hurts, hypocrisy, legalism, neglect, confusion and the list goes on.. However, when we live under tension, manage to go through any conflicts, our maturity grows. Immaturity is when we're always criticizing others. When we're not getting along with others: unloving, unresponsive, lack of communication, lack of mutuality, lack of understanding, and wall-building, it's a sign of divorcing from the body, the church.

But I want to give you a positive response to this to help us avoid disillusionment. Like many businesses asking for workers, "Help wanted! Apply within!", I say this,

"NO PERFECT PEOPLE NEED APPLY"

Church is a place only for those who admit they are sinners; they are open to share their burdens, their hurts, their struggles; a deep need for God's grace in their lives; and hungry to grow in Christ, in relationship, in love, in compassion, and in humility!

CHURCH IS A PLACE WHERE BELIEVERS:
1. Encourage rather than criticize (Rom. 14:4)
2. Avoid troublemakers (Prov. 20:19)
3. Resolve conflicts (Matthew 18:15ff)
4. Support your leaders (ministers and elders) who work hard over you; ensample (Heb. 13:7)

We protect the fellowship; the unity of the church when we honor those who serve us by leading. Ministers and elders need encouragement, support, love and prayers.

5. Consider others better than your own selves (Phil. 2:3)

How warm is the church where you worship and fellowship with? Is she warm with love and understanding for one another? Everyone needs love, genuine love, the love so contagious that you may have to lock the church doors to keep people away!