The Unity of the Spirit

Why is it that brothers in Christ just can't get along?  It seems everywhere you look there is conflict among the Brethren.  What version of the Bible we should use, what music is acceptable, how we should express our worship, how churches should be run, even how to share the Gospel!!  But what does Christ say?  The world will know us by our... LOVE.

Now I understand we must be doctrinally and Biblically sound.  But even among those there is conflict.  As we have been in Zambia for two months now we are seeing the devastating effects of such conflict.  Confusion, insecurity, a lack of freedom, frustration, pain and anger.  I'm pretty sure that none of these are listed in the Fruit of the Spirit.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  What a contrast!  Now, I'm not saying that every believer here feels this way, but there seems to be a pervading spirit of the first list and not the second.  Why?  Why does this happen?  One simple word... PRIDE.

What does the Word have to say about the relationship between believers?

Ephesians 4:1-6  

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. 

Only two examples, yet convincing for us Believers no matter where we live.  It doesn't matter what we accomplish for Christ if there is no love or unity among the Brethren.  We need to lay aside our soap boxes (aka issues of pride) and come together in LOVE to be an example to the world around us that our God is the One True God.  We are to be an example worthy of our Lord, not cause unbelievers to choose the world, because the church treats people worse.  

Please join us in consentrated prayer for UNITY among the Believers.  Pray that God would be honored, not shamed, by the testimony of His church.  Pray for us, that we would be able to be humble servants to those around us, being used to build His church and not tear it down.  Pray that we would have discernment and wisdom, and tough skins.  And please pray that our Savior is lifted up among all men so that they might be saved.