“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 (NLT)
Sadly, many pastors and churches have moved away from one another. They use race or doctrine or the Holy Spirit as their excuse. But it is simply a division that does not please God or bring Him glory! It is rooted in pride! Don’t you understand, it is not about your way, your practices or the color of your skin! We should strive to bring our worship into alignment with heaven. It is about honoring and obeying God. It is about being the body of Christ!
Over this past season the enemy has worked in overdrive to separate believers and churches from one another. Yet we are told to do whatever it takes to maintain the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). We’re told that Jesus has given us His glory, but it is expressed through our unity (John 17:22). We’re told that we are to accept one another as Christ accepted us (Romans 15:5). The word “accept” means to welcome, to take to oneself, to receive into your home, to take as one’s companion, and to grant access to one’s heart! Are you doing that? Is your church accepting one another or operating on its own? We literally rob God of the glory He is due by our divisions and lack of unity. As we “accept” one another, we are able to join together with one voice and bring glory and praise to God! We are one body and NOW is the time to come back together and with united minds and voices glorify God!!!
Pray that the true church in our city would once again, accept one another and come together with one voice to glorify God by representing Jesus as He commanded! Pray for your church to lay aside all barriers, walls, including excuses of skin color, doctrine, offenses and unforgiveness, to be part of being Christ’ body in our city. Pray that every level of division would be exposed for what it is, sin and be removed from the church and our city. Pray for conviction of sin upon those who refuse to “accept” others and allow access to their hearts. Thank the Lord for what He is doing, and is about to do in our city!
