As Women of the Way, we seek unity in the Body of Christ as we focus on Who unites us rather than what divides us.
We are One Body with many parts. We are One Church with many voices.
Join me in welcoming Brenda Fields as she shares her voice on unity!
● Unity is oneness of a common purpose, not sameness
● Christians’ identity of oneness is with Christ
● When there is division and lack of unity; you have chaos and confusion
The Power of Unity
In Genesis 11:1-9, we have the story of The Tower of Babel Verse 1: Now the whole world had one language and one speech (oneness)
Verse 4: Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the earth”
After the flood, God commanded Noah and his sons to dispense and repopulate the earth… but rather than to be obedient to God, they decided to settle down and build themselves a city and build a tower that reached into the heavens. In verses 5 and 6, God says,”they would have accomplished what they set out to do, because they were one people and had the same language”. Nevertheless, says the people, we are “united”.
Even though they were being disobedient and rebellious to God; these two verses demonstrate the power of unity.
These verses tell us that we can accomplish much more when we work together; rather than when we are divided.
The Blessings of Unity
Unity attracts God’s favor and anointing (gets God’s attention)
Acts 2:1-4 The Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost when the believers were in one mind, and on one accord.
John 17: If we want God to empower us and bless us; there has to be unity/oneness in the church.
● God can’t bless and favor division
● God is a God of unity/oneness
● There is unity in the godhead; and He expects there to be unity among His people/children
He will open doors and opportunities for a church that walks in unity/oneness.
Achieving Christian Unity/Oneness
In the fourth chapel of Ephesians, Paul urges all Christians to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love.
If we have such a hard time keeping this unity, how do we begin to turn things around? Thankfully, Ephesians 4: 2 and 3 has laid out the steps to to achieving Christian Unity/Oneness:
Paul says:
1) “Be humble” humility means putting others’ needs above your own. It does require us to realize that we aren’t better than anyone. We are all human. And we are all sinners.
2) “Be gentle” when we realize how gentle/loving God has been with us, who have sinned against him, we can began to be gentle/loving with other Christians. Even with our differences.
3) “Be patient” as James tells us, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Once these virtues are in place, we can move on to achieving unity/oneness.
4) “Be forbearing” believers are called to put up with one another. Only when we accept that Christ has done these things for us will we begin to live them out ourselves.
Dwell Together in Unity
Psalm 133:1 of King David “Behold, How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”
Behold: This Psalm begins with an exhortation to behold – that is, to take notice. What follows is important and deserves our attention.
It is Good because it reflects God’s heart and purpose of unity/oneness among His people.
It is Pleasant because it makes life together as God’s people so much more enjoyable conflict dominate.
Live Our Lives to God’s Glory
Finally, in Micah 6:8 this simple but profound verse reminds us of the way we are individually called to live our lives to God’s Glory!!!!!
“He has shown you. O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to Love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”
Act Justly
Acting justly, or doing justice, is the quality of being impartial or fair.
Love Mercy
“It is evident that mercy combines a strong emotional element, usually identified as pity, compassion, or love, with some practical demonstration of kindness in response to the condition or needs of the object of mercy” – Encyclopedia of the Bible
Walk Humbly with God
Walking humbly with God is of key importance when we are seeking oneness with Christ. Too often, people think that people who are different have nothing to teach or share. In contrast, walking humbly with God recognizes the poverty of mind, soul, spirit and body that we all possess without the Grace of God.
~Brenda
Brenda Fields is a southern girl, raised in Birmingham, Al; who has lived in Flintville, Tennessee for the past 23 years. She and her husband of 26 years, have been blessed with a blended family of 6 children, 7 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; who affectionately call her Mama Love. Brenda is an active member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama; where she serves faithfully in Sunday School and the Greeter’s Ministry. Brenda’s greatest passion is ministering to the less fortunate.
If you would like to share your thoughts about unity on a WoW Voices post, email Amy at womenofthwaytn@gmail.com