" I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
I read this verse today and it struck me that our churches, and our homes, would be much happier places, more peaceful places if we all read and adhered to what it has to say. It's hard to agree with someone else if we are busy trying to accomplish our own agenda. It's hard to even hear someone else's opinion if we are intent on being heard ourselves. But the writer is appealing to us to strive for this unity of mind and thought. It should be our ultimate goal.
Just imagine what our churches would be like and what they could accomplish for the Lord's work if we were all in unity. Just think of what life would be like if no one demanded their own way or complained about how things were done. What if everyone deferred to their neighbour and sought to please God in all that they did? What if we actually practiced what Jesus called the greatest commandments?
Matthew 25:37-39 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
Just imagine how different our lives would be if we were less concerned with ourselves, our wants and our desires and we were more concerned with our neighbour's wants, desires, dreams and needs. What if our whole focus was on pleasing God? Just imagine if our greatest desire was to show our love to God with all of our heart, soul and mind, how much better we would be.
Sometimes it's not as important to be seen as being 'right' as it is to be seen as being agreeable and in unity with fellow believers. I know that when my children would argue or fight, it would hurt me as a mother. I loved all of my children and didn't want to see any of them hurt. I wanted them to get along. I always insisted that when a squabble arose that they quickly talked the problem out, and sought forgiveness and gave it too. I hate disention and disagreements. I have to believe that the Lord is no different when it comes to His children. I am sure it grieves His heart when He sees His children squabbling amongst themselves over petty issues. I'm sure He hopes for quick reconcilliation and forgiveness to be given.
When we are focused on ourselves instead of God and others, we will soon become discontent and will not be living in unity. Just imagine how much time we waste on petty grievances that we could be spending on better things. Sometimes it just takes one person to back down from something that is not really that important so that unity is maintained. If the other person is stiffnecked and rebellious, the Lord will deal with them, we won't have to, but we will have the assurance that we have done the right thing in maintaining unity and focusing on the Lord.
Just imagine.....
Matthew 25:37-39 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
Just imagine how different our lives would be if we were less concerned with ourselves, our wants and our desires and we were more concerned with our neighbour's wants, desires, dreams and needs. What if our whole focus was on pleasing God? Just imagine if our greatest desire was to show our love to God with all of our heart, soul and mind, how much better we would be.
Sometimes it's not as important to be seen as being 'right' as it is to be seen as being agreeable and in unity with fellow believers. I know that when my children would argue or fight, it would hurt me as a mother. I loved all of my children and didn't want to see any of them hurt. I wanted them to get along. I always insisted that when a squabble arose that they quickly talked the problem out, and sought forgiveness and gave it too. I hate disention and disagreements. I have to believe that the Lord is no different when it comes to His children. I am sure it grieves His heart when He sees His children squabbling amongst themselves over petty issues. I'm sure He hopes for quick reconcilliation and forgiveness to be given.
When we are focused on ourselves instead of God and others, we will soon become discontent and will not be living in unity. Just imagine how much time we waste on petty grievances that we could be spending on better things. Sometimes it just takes one person to back down from something that is not really that important so that unity is maintained. If the other person is stiffnecked and rebellious, the Lord will deal with them, we won't have to, but we will have the assurance that we have done the right thing in maintaining unity and focusing on the Lord.
Just imagine.....
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