THE BLESSING OF UNITY

Jesus understood the power and the blessing of unity. That is why He worked so hard to create a spirit of agreement amongst his disciples.

He also prayed that they would be as one as He was with the Father. United the church will stand; divided it will fall. That is why theenemy seeks to use offences and hurts to divide the church. In response, Jesus calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.

It is inevitable that somewhere, somehow someone will offend us. When other people hurt us we have two options. Our first and natural response is often one of anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred or even revenge.

Unfortunately, this type of response results in dramatic affects on us physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. The second possible response is to forgive. To forgive means to give up theright to revenge, to give up the desire to punish or get even, and to surrender our right to hurt the person back. Forgiveness pleases God, it frees us, and it helps to restore unity in relationships.

We are from different congregations, but we are to be one in Christ.

What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us. We are sons and daughters of Father God and therefore brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the Spirit in us and we love Jesus. Today, may we all kneel under one banner – Jesus is Lord!

Mark Conner

Senior Minister

CityLife Church