Spirit of Love & Unity

Unity = dictionary – [the state of being united or joined as a whole.] Love = dictionary- [intimacy] – Holman dic. [Unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the well-being of another.] Key Verse Colossians 3:14 - Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. (ERV)

Love is the most important moral quality in the believer’s life, and it is the very glue that produces unity in the church. Believers will never enjoy mutual fellowship through compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience; they will not bear with each other or forgive each other unless they love one another.   Unity extends - far beyond the thoughts of being connected to one another merely because we attend the same church or because we live in the same neighborhoods, or because we may even work together.

Unity consists = of more than any efforts to become like one another. Unity - has more substance to it than simply having common interests and likes in life.   The unity which God intends for us to experience and demonstrate as the body of Christ also is greater than idealistic thought that, as Christians, we will always agree with one another.

Root of Unity “It is Jesus Christ who is the [source] and [center] of this [unity]. If we [center] our [attention] and [affection] on Him, we will [walk] and [work] together in a manner that is fully pleasing to Him. But, if we [focus only on ourselves], we will only cause [division]”

In spite of our differences to each other > Apostle Paul reminded us our life or our new life in Christ Jesus Q= What aspects stand out among God’s people concerning unity? What does this look like? Outwardly, when God’s spirit of unity prevails among His people, there is a divine sense of beauty that is recognized by all.

Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” (KJV) Spiritually = genuine evidence of Christ-centered love that is experienced within the body and extended to those outside the body of Christ. Jesus declared John 13:34 - “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. V35-By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”

This agape love is experienced, and extended, not on any individualistic terms of our own. Jesus Himself set the standard of such love— “as I have loved you.” Such love is rooted in our Savior and Lord, and is manifested to others through selfless attitudes, and a servant’s heart. Inwardly = there are attitudes of the heart which are marked by the distinctions of kindness, tenderness, forgiveness, meekness, and courtesy.

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV 1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (ESV) The attitudes which reside within our hearts toward one another do affect the degree to which spirit of unity prevails among His people.

If our attitudes toward each other are not right, then how can our worship of God, and fellowship with Him, be right? Behaviorally = there is a life and walk of faith that is marked by the distinctions of humility. We need to understand that the impact of our walks of faith have a dual direction.   Horizontally > our walks of faith influence the lives of those who surround us. Vertically > our walks of faith determine the intimacy of worship and fellowship we experience with the Lord.

Relationally = the responses we give to one another through the various circumstances of life also have some distinct marks to them. We are different from one another, and sometimes we may find it difficult to get along with each other. There may, indeed, be times that we find it to be a hard task to agree with one another on certain issues. There may be occasions when we disappoint one another, even hurt one another, by means of our attitudes and actions. And when we find ourselves in midst of such times, the Bible telling us what type of responses we are called to give to one another:

>We are to show kindness to one another, be tenderhearted towards one another, forgiving towards one another, and walk in agape love towards one another (Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2). >We are expected to be longsuffering towards one another (Colossians 3:12). >We are to be willing to be “bearing with one another”— that is, to be patient with one another, and to allow the Holy Spirit the time needed to work in each other’s lives, for the sake of this unity (Colossians 3:13). >We are to respond to each other with a maturity of love (Colossians 3:14) Rather than respond in a spirit of vengeance when we hurt and disappoint one another, we are called to respond with the desire and necessary effort to genuinely bless one another (1 Peter 3:9)

Apostle Paul reminded us in the book of Colossians Your New Life with Each Other’s Colossians 3:12- God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So, your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. V13- Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you

V14- Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. V15- Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. (ERV)

Romans 13:10- Love doesn’t hurt others Romans 13:10- Love doesn’t hurt others. So, loving is the same as obeying all the law. (ERV) Romans 13:10 - Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [unselfish] love is the fulfillment of the Law. (AMP)    Philippians 2:1-5 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Conclusion

Be United and Care for Each Other – V1- Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, (2) then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. V3- In whatever you do [reminder to all of us], don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. V4- Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. Learn from Christ to Be Unselfish V5- In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. (ERV)

Philippians 2:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT) Have the Attitude of Christ Philippians 2:1- Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? V2- Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

V3- Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others V3- Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. V4- Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. V5- You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.