Reflection:
According
to the Bible, unity is a necessity for soul-winning. The division and
brokenness of the Church in most communities diminishes God's glory, and
at best, is seen negatively by most non-Christians. Christians should
be able to love one another.
Imagine
if pastors and congregations in each community began to seek the
welfare of other pastors and congregations above their own. Imagine if
pastors and congregations worked together to bring healing to the
brokenness of their community.
The
average community is unravelling, which manifests in the breakdown of
marriages, youth delinquency, drugs, suicide and much more. Our modern
communities are full of relational pain. However, only too often many
Christians themselves are victims of society's brokenness-including
pastors and leaders. Humble pastors and leaders need to begin the
journey, through prayer, to bring healing to one another and to the
Church of the community.
Only
a healed, unified Church is able to heal a broken, divided community.
There is something very impacting in seeing dozens of pastors who love
one another testifying how they and their families have been
strengthened by the love they have received from one another.
As
this relational unity grows to touch, heal and impact the congregation
members, the love of Christ cannot help overflowing to needy souls all
around them.
Christ's
prayer is for unity of the Church in order to reach the world.
Soul-winners will always be the greatest advocate for the unity of the
Church. The greatest prayer of the Bible is the high-priestly prayer of
Jesus in John 17, and as such should be our priority prayer because it
is our obedience to love one another that provides the answer to the
prayer.
Prayer:
Father,
teach us to pray in unison with Your Son that we, the Church, may be
completed and perfected in unity in each community in our nation.
Forgive us for our disunity and division, for our neglect of each
other's needs, for the critical words and attitudes against each other.
Cleanse us from this proud spirit that elevates myself, my ministry and
my congregation above the needs of other Christians in other
congregations.
Father,
fill us afresh with the loving heart of sacrificial service that unites
and heals the Church and overflows to needy communities. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.