Text: Psalm 133:1-3; Ephesians 4:1-6

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!   2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:  that went down to the skirts of his garments;  3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:  for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.  

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.   4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  

 Monday, 20^th May 2024 

 THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS UNITY AND ONENESS TO US

Text: Psalm 133:1-3; Ephesians 4:1-6

Memory verse: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Division and conflict among Christians and in the church can be heartbreaking and confusing. I’m saddened when I see brothers and sisters in Christ fight over denominational differences, losing sight of our common ground, our salvation, based on God’s grace towards us. Let’s not let disagreements divide, destroy, and tear down the body of believers. Christians may differ in their expression of worship and by our denomination of Christianity, but there’s one truth we cannot dispute, God wants us to dwell together in unity. Instead of concentrating on what divides us let’s remember what unites us. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to create unprecedented unity among believers. Paul tells us that unity is found through the grace of God, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. When we see others through the eyes of grace as God sees us, then we allow the Holy Spirit to do His work to produce fellowship among believers.

There is a reason Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:3 “to make every effort” to maintain unity, and in the verse before “to be completely humble, gentle, and patient and “bear with one another in love.” We are easily filled with pride and selfishness. We can’t be humble, gentle, and patient without allowing the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts and help us communicate and act in love. Instead of concentrating on what divides us let’s remember what unites us. Learn how the Holy Spirit unifies us so that we can live in peace with others. “Bearing with one another in love.” Bearing means to endure, hold up, and sustain.

The Bible often uses the imagery of marriage to describe the relationship between God and Israel in the Old Testament and the relationship with Jesus Christ and the body of believers (church) in the New Testament. “The divine reality hidden in the metaphor of marriage is that God ordained a permanent union between His Son and the church. Human marriage is the earthly image of this divine plan. As God willed for Christ and the church to become one body, so He willed for marriage to reflect this pattern, that the husband and wife become one flesh”. Even when both spouses are Christians, it takes hard work to learn how to communicate and maintain marital unity. We can follow Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians, to rejoice, strive for full reconciliation, encourage one another, be of one mind, and live in peace. The Holy Spirit helps us maintain unity and get along, but we must be willing to do our part to maintain peaceful relationships. We do this by loving others with the same encouragement, love, and fellowship we have received from Christ.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all in all”. God has given all believer abilities and gifts that can strengthen the church. Thinking of ourselves as one body creates unity. Each person works together for the common good of the whole. Unity does not mean sameness. It means oneness of purpose.

CGDS HYMN 5; SS&S 618:

YIELDED TO GOD, MY BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT

1. Yielded to God, my body, soul, and spirit,

Oh, what rejoicing fills my peaceful breast !

All, all is well : no doubt nor fear disturbs me,

While on His promise now alone I rest.

2. Yielded to God, reposing 'neath His shadow,

Sunshine and gladness round my pathway fall ;

Yielded to God, whose love dispels all sorrow,

He is my Refuge, and my All in All.

3. Yielded to God, my life and its devotion,

Yielded the service of each day and year;

Oh, what a peace pervades my every feeling !

Oh, what sweet visions on my sight appear !

4. Yielded to God, and in His holy keeping

My heart His temple evermore shall be ;

Yielded to God, in willing consecration,

Blessed Redemeer, I am lost in Thee.

 Prayers: 

1.  Holy Spirit, reunite us the body of Christ in Jesus’ name Amen.

2.  LORD God Almighty, by Your Spirit cause brethren to dwell together in unity in all our churches and all around the world according in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.