UNITY
Philippians 2:1-3
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Somewhere beyond the shroud of thick fog was the sound of took bucks fighting. They were within rifle range, but we couldn't see them. The battle sounded ferocious, with smashing and grinding of antlers that rung through the thick dawn air. Then all went silent.
Moments later the fog began to break just a little and we could see patches of opening 50 yards or so. I decided to attempt to do my best rendition of two bucks fighting, in hopes of luring in one of the bucks we has heard. Within moments of clashing the sawed of antlers together a big buck appeared at the edge of the fog. Linda made a good shot and put him down.
When we got to the buck we saw the results of the early morning battle. The buck had freshly broken off his biggest tine and had large patches of freshly torn hide and hair. The two bucks in that battle, and many other bucks and bull elk I've seen fight, had been in a union when their antlers were joined in the fight, but they were by no means in unity.
In the above scripture, "therefore", in verse one, points back to verse 27 in chapter one, "that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
This is a pretty big commandment to us. This means that quite often I have to look beyond what I want or feel is right for me. Instead I need to look at what God shows me is right for His family. A hard pill for me to swallow sometimes.
I think that we confuse unity with just plain union. We could tie two cats together by the tail and throw them over a close line. They are certainly in a "union" but by no means do they have unity. God wants His family to live and love together is such a way as the world only sees one body.
Mattie Stepaneck wrote the following, before he died at age 13.
"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
Philippians 2:2
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
I pray that you and I never EVER again cause any disunity in the family of God.
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