Stand United

Recently, I heard a song on the radio that combined an older, familiar (to me) song with a new (to me) song lyric. I checked the artist(s) of each to see if they had perhaps combined efforts in the singing of the new. Not that I could tell… So what that tells me is that the words—and the tune—were sang by different people with their own spin on at least parts of the song. However—they were united in the message they were sending separately.

I’ve been in many churches throughout my life, and to say that I agreed 100% with any of those churches on every tiny detail or style would be far-reaching. —BUT, I would venture to say that each of those churches (probably even those I can’t recall; or those that I agreed with the least) still offered The Word and the Good News of Jesus Christ. (not saying that all church-like establishments do, but speaking of those in my area that I have attended)

On the contrary, I would also venture to say possibly some of the those churches thought they were doing things more right than others. Understandable to a degree…we have tradition, preferences, and interpretations; however, the bottom line is keeping the main thing the main thing…the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.

I understand there is false teaching that we need to guard against. And, we do that by being in prayer and the Word; allowing God to reveal to us and in us the right way to follow. I do think, however, that we must be careful of carrying it beyond guarding against false teaching and simply becoming over-critical or picky. Observe. Discern. Pray. But don’t let minor preferences separate us.

Steve often points out the scripture where Jesus said, “For the one who is not against us is for us.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Bible says…
“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Did you catch the part that says, “which only ruins the hearers” ?! Maybe we are not “quarreling,” per se; but I wonder how much time we are spending focusing on differences rather than being thankful that the Word of God is going out…the Good News is being shared…people are accepting, and lives are changing. How far-reaching might those “quarrels,” disagreements, or nit-pickings go to the hearers? There is no time to sow seeds of damage. The reparation may take more time than we have left.

In Isaiah, God says…
“”The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.10-11.NLT

Everywhere His Word is sent out, it will prosper because of Him.

We are to do the work that we are called to do. If that ends up being planting, we may not see firsthand the result because someone may come after us and water; and then God gives the increase—God, and God alone. It took me a long time to recognize and soak in this concept.

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.3.7-9.NLT

I love how this version states verse eight… “The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose…” [emphasis mine]. Part of our job is to be unified in our efforts to spread His Word, and in all things related to serving Christ…

Jesus said, “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.23.NLT

UNITY:
noun,
• a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

• the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the part of a whole; unification.

• absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character.

…our unity sends a message to the world that Jesus is who He says He is and that God loves them.

I love being a part of the church. I love meeting with people who are united in their pursuit of Christ. I am in hot pursuit of serving Him and taking as many with me as I can. Assembling on Sunday or in small group with others who are also in pursuit of Him encourages me and excites me…helps keep my focus on the main thing.

During 2020, the church I was attending met outside. It was a time of uncertainty; but their was certainty in the pursuit of Christ at those meetings. If I didn’t talk to a single soul, I knew we were there unified for the same reason…pursuing the one whom God sent to redeem us from our sins, and to be a light to take others along for the ride…hoping to plant a seed, or water, that God may give the increase. I was encouraged.

During these days when we are witnessing things in the world that are almost beyond comprehension…things that are being pushed at us as if they are the gospel when in fact, they are the complete opposite, let’s not fail to celebrate the body of Christ…the churches that are spreading God’s Word and sharing the Good News! Celebrate that seeds are being planted and watered and growing in Him! Celebrate that souls are being saved and getting ready for His return! Celebrate that we have work to do and strength to do it! Celebrate our brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are not doing this alone! If you are on Team Jesus, there is cause to celebrate! If you’re not yet, “…Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” From 2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.12.12-27.NLT