when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
(Psalm 133 NIV)
When I think of unity in the church, I think of the Body of Christ functioning as it was meant to. Many songs of praise and hymns come to my mind as I reflect on unity. "Bind us together, Lord. Bind us together cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord. Bind us together. Bind us together with love." "We are one in the bond of love. We have joined our spirit with the spirit of God. We are one in the bond of love." "They'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love." When God's people live in unity, they work together to serve God out of love for Him. They love and serve one another as God loves. This is how the church was designed to work - unrestricted by the four walls that make up a the building called a church, serving everyone despite of what they look like, or what activities they participate in, loving even "the least of these" as we would love our own families. There is so much judgment and criticism among denominations and among congregations today. It's sad really. People who say they love God and yet really have no idea that loving others is a part of loving God. If you walk into a church and immediately feel judged without anyone even saying a word, where is the love in that church? Where is the Spirit of God? Can you imagine how that grieves God?If you can enter a church building and immediately feel welcome and loved, then that's a place you should be. Love openly displayed for ALL who enter. Can you imagine the smile stretched across the face of God as he sees this?! Take a moment to read the lyrics from the Hymn "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love" Can those around you tell you are a Christian by the way you treat them?
We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit
we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.
We will walk with each other
we will walk hand in hand
we will walk with each other
we will walk hand in hand
and together we'll spread the news
that God is in our land:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.
We will work with each other
we will work side by side
We will work with each other
We will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity
and save each man's pride:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.
All Praise to the Father
from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus
His only Son,
and all praise to the Spirit
who makes us all one:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love
Yes, They'll know we are Christians
By our love.
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