Division in the world is front page news nowadays almost every day. It is sad to see, but the news focuses on the world. not the Body of Christ, so it is not surprising. The heartbreaking thing is to see the division within those who call themselves followers of Christ. One of the things that gave me the most delight when we were living in Ghana was the privilege of bringing women together across denominations and people groups to be in fellowship; to study the Word of God; to practice the life of Christ; and to do ministry together.
Now that my role has been based in the USA – I’ve gotten approached by a couple of ladies who would like me to walk with them. One asked me what joy I get from discipling someone. I told her that one of my greatest joys is to see those who I walk with unified in love.
As I venture to disciple Christ followers it is my duty to see that the young ladies that I’m walking with know what it means to be unified and why.
- First, I must teach that Christ has encouraged and admonished us to be one.
- Second, they must know that my love for them is a gift from God – not anything earned by one of them more than another. I love them all equally – showing no respect of persons.
- Third, I must walk in the Spirit – exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit – modeling before them a life that displays an understanding of God’s presence and a filling of the Holy Spirit.
- Lastly, I must teach a message of grace, because that is what God’s affection towards us looks like.
As I do these things – I have seen time and time again that they are able to embrace their common purpose to glorify God and are better equipped to walk in UNITY.
My prayer is that the Father will show me how to walk according to His word ALWAYS! That my life will be an accurate model to those who are watching me; showing them the way to godly love compassion and unity. That the world will see His grace through my life and unity through my own family. May my life, my words, my actions lead others to become one in Him!
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose
Philippians 2:1-2
Loving Christ - Living Christ 
I believe the biggest challenge to acheive this is honest dialogue. We have to be willing to be honest and messy… to have the difficult conversations and speak truth from Gods Word and allow it to gracefully shape our own perspectives rather than project or try to persuade others to see things “our way.” By keeping the focus on Worship amd Glorfying Christ, we are able to set aside our own beliefs, desires, goals, and agendas. We become able to see each other as children of God who are all “in-process.”
This allows me to see my wife as “my Sister,” first. My adversary as someone “to pray for,” first… it’s actually quite often very liberating because it means i simply need to Love and allow Jesus’ finished work on the cross to keep us together.
And my attitude is of utmost importance.
It means embracing “encouragement in Christ” FIRST — that is, worrying about my Brother or Sister first, and letting God send those who will worry about me… One-Anothering in the New Testament is about the process of disciplship — but not for our benefit. Rather, as you have said, for our unity for the purpose of Glorifying Jesus.
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That the news focuses on the world and not on the Body of Christ is not surprisingly, because lots of people who call themselves Christian do not live according to the teachings of the Nazarene master teacher Jeshua (Jesus Christ), and do not keep to the commandments of Jesus his God, them worshipping several gods (a.o. the Trinity) and saints and even having several graven images of their gods, plus keeping on the heathen traditions and heathen feasts (like Christmas and Easter e.g.).
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