The local church is a group of baptized believers joined together in the bonds of love to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. When each member is functioning as they should, there is unity and peace among all the members of the body. David tells how precious it is for God’s people to have unity: “ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;” (Psalm 133:1-2). Unity is precious because there is nothing but trouble that arises when there is division. The body of believers should be so unified that what effects one member of the body affects the entire body, just as happens in our natural body. Paul said, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (I Cor. 12:25-26). The maintenance of that unity is a part of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith the church is called as Paul charged the church at Ephesus. He goes on to say concerning their duty toward unity: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3). How can the church keep this unity of the Spirit? This is accomplished by walking with meekness and lowliness, practicing long-suffering, and forbearing one another in love. When people are in one mind and one accord, God will pour out a blessing like He did on the Day of Pentecost. It is each church member’s responsibility to function as an integral part of the whole with the common goal of glorifying the Lord of glory. Paul makes this clear in Rom. 15:5-6, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:5-6). May the church always have unity and be prosperous in growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” (Psalm 122:6-7). These are difficult times in which the church is living, but there is peace and comfort within a unified church who love the Lord and endeavor to please Him!–June 2, 2012–Elder Larry Wise
