UNITY MATTERS

Philippians 2:21

“All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.”

What matters to Jesus Christ?  There are some obvious answers: 

• ·       He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9);

• ·       Remain in Me. (John 15:4);

• ·       Trust in God (John 14:1).

The list of what matters to Jesus Christ is long.  But the list can be summed up, I think, in one word:  UNITY. 

What exactly is unity?  There may be many definitions, but in Philippians 2:2, Paul says, “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”  This is an excellent definition of unity.  And a tall order!

This matters to Jesus Christ!  Why is unity so important?  Without unity an army falls apart and loses the battle.  Without unity a business cannot succeed.  Without unity a family becomes dysfunctional.  And without unity a church splits or disbands.  Unity matters!

Paul says in verse 5 that we “MUST have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had”.  (Emphasis mine) Jesus did not cling to His rights, did not try to impress anyone with His God-ness, and did not have to always have the last word.  In fact, there are many instances of His silence when faced with opposition!

Bottom line:  we must think and act as Jesus did and we must count important what He counted as important.  And Jesus put unity high on His list of importance; so should we!

The church can’t fulfill her mission in the world if disunity rules.

Father, please take away my “diva” nature and glorify

Yourself by giving me the same mind that is in Christ Jesus-

Perfect unity with You and Your purpose in the world.  Amen.