The Power of Unity and the Hazard of Strife

December 6, 2010

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philippians 2:2

The power of unity is a principle that resounds through the Old and New Testaments. When people get together in unity around a cause – even if it’s a negative ideology – things get done.

God said of the people who unified in their own fleshly interests to build the Tower of Babel: “Nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6b). On the positive side, the Philippian church got so unified around the cause of Jesus that they were able to fund much of the outreach of the Gospel in other cities.

Unity is constantly assailed by the temptation to get in strife. Just as there is power in unity (Matthew 18:19-20), strife takes on a life of its own—don’t even open the door to it. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16 KJV).

Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! Matthew 18:7 NKJV

Don’t indulge in the luxury of strife this holiday season. Treat it as the poison it really is. Strife is like ringing a bell for the demons to come. As tempting as it gets to “go there,” we must do our level best to resist it and pursue peace with all people (Hebrews 12:14). Repent, humble yourself, and pursue unity.

God bless you!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. NKJV Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.