Unity and the Hard-Headed Race

In a time when people are divided by race, religion, gender, politics, (just to name a few) it appears that we've lost our call as Christians to be unified.  Instead, we quarrel with one another, among denominations, and between Protestants and Catholics.  We act as if fellow followers of Jesus are the enemy. 

Let me caution you.  Satan is the enemy.  Never forget that. 

Here are just a few scriptures to consider.  

Ephesians 4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, ³ being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Romans 12  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Philippians 2  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

The problem of divisiveness is nothing new.  Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "So there is nothing new under the sun."   The human race has always been hard-headed. 

If we struggle with unity, perhaps it's because we are hard-headed in always feeling right.  One of the most beautiful signs of maturity is the ability to admit when you are wrong, or that you just might be wrong, or that you might entertain the notion of being wrong from time to time.  In my opinion, stubbornness is a sure sign of immaturity.  Feeling as if you are always right is also a sure way of turning people against you.  I desire a humbleness that reflects Jesus. 

My soul is a work in progress.  My knowledge of the scriptures today is deeper than it was just yesterday.  I also know that if the Lord allows me more years on this earth, I pray that I am wiser in the future than I have been in the past, or even now.

John and I ran into some serious marriage problems years ago.  During that time we just LOVED to focus on the things that we didn't like about one another.  We like to get in little jabs about the things on which we disagreed.  Our focus was always on the negative aspects of our relationship.  

In counseling we learned that until we focused on the things that unify us, not divide us, our marriage was doomed to fail.  We still disagree from time to time, but our focus is on what binds us together, not what pulls us apart.  

I wonder what our world would be like if Christians did the same?  

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland is a historical figure that plays a role in my upcoming novel series, "Echo in the Veil".  This Catholic Queen desired that believers in Scotland be able to worship their God without fear of the monarchy and rulers.  She disagreed with some of the Protestant beliefs, but instead of being divisive she chose to use a more Godly method....Love.  

History records that my beloved Mary was not successful in her endeavor of peace and she was eventually killed by the Protestant Queen of England, Elizabeth I.  Some within the Catholic and Protestant faith simply refused to go without shedding someone's blood over their differences.  They chose death over life.  They chose hate over love. 

There is a lot I do not know and do not understand.  When those things are revealed and I question what I should think or do, I always go back to what Jesus said was important.  Love God.  Love others.  Mark 12:30-31  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

There is no commandment greater than these.  Love is the filter that works every time, without fail.  When I can focus on love, everything falls into the gentle shadow of grace and PRAISE GOD it covers my enormous lack of knowledge.  

I Peter 4:8  Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

What filter will you use?  How will you choose to treat those with whom you disagree? 

Scriptures from New American Standard Bible