In the world today, there is more hate, division, and rivalry than ever before. Even in the Church, disunity thrives. From disagreements between various denominations, to competition amidst local churches, to bitterness and jealousy taking root amongst congregation members--the Church is not devoid of this dilemma of division.
James 4 verses 1-2 says:
"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel..."
And Romans 12:3 says:
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
So what is it that causes this division and disunity? Is it not that we are prideful and haughty within our hearts? That we are entitled and think we deserve "xyz" and we become upset when we don't receive it but others do?Whether in the Church or in the world, we can see that so much hate and rivalry stems from these two things: pride and entitlement.
So what is the cure? How do we fight these things within ourselves so that we can pursue a more unified and peaceful world?
The key can be found in Colossians 3:12-13.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
If we want to see a world, a CHURCH, with less rivalry and more unity and love, we have to align our hearts with Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:12-13.
We have to humble ourselves, realizing we are no better than anyone else--that we desperately need God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
And when we are humble, we are able to more easily put on love and patience towards others. We can "bear with" one another, pursue peace with one another, and find common ground with one another when we recognize we are all the same: sinners in need of Jesus Christ.
How will you pursue a more unified world, a more unified Church, today?
#BeTheRemnant #ChosenByGrace #Scripture #GodsWord #truth #humility #entitlement #gratitude #patience #love #church #faith
