Unity: A Common Need

What happens around you doesn't have to happen in you.

- Ron Horner

Unity:
A Common Need of the Body of Christ

by Ron Horner

Phil 2:1-5 (NIV)

Paul asks believers to:

1. Be like-minded

2. Have the same love

3. Be one is spirit

4. Be one in purpose

5. Do nothing selfishly

6. Do nothing with greedy (haughty) motives

7. In humility consider others better than yourselves

8. Have the same attitude Jesus had

The first four are inseparable—they are natural results of each other – if one is missing, so are the others

For example:

We are likeminded when we have the same love
To be one in spirit and purpose you must be like-minded
You have the same purpose BECAUSE you have the same love, mind and spirit
As individuals, we may see some thngs differently from others, yet some things are essential and in these we MUST be united!

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity!"

- St.Francis

Essentials:

God is creator and provider for our salvation. Jesus is His Son and is the only way to and provision for our salvation. The Holy Spirit is the administrator of these facts and to know God we must…

Recognize our need
Recognize His provision (Jesus)
Repent of our selfishness and sinfulness and be united through faith with Him

Non-Essentials:

…are never to exalt themselves in our lives or in others lives above the God we serve and His provision for His people.

"Christians should be one in affection, whether they are one in apprehension or not."

- Matthew Henry

Apprehension – understanding

Reciprocal Christian love should be expressed – giving and receiving – but not Just giving to receive

We must unanimously unite in the great things of God and maintain the "unity of the Spirit" in our differences.

Unity is in our power!

We choose whether to walk in unity or not

It is not automatic because it demands surrender.

How do we accomplish Paul's desire for us?

Stop acting in selfishness

Do we?

Consider others above ourselves
Start at the stoplight or cash register at the store – be more courteous than you've ever been.
Do we feel we must prove we are better in God than anyone else?

For a printable version, click here.

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