Unity

I wanted to make this post Sunday night while the morning's message was still fresh in my mind, but life gets busy with a husband, two boys and a dog. :) I wanted to share what Rob taught about Sunday morning. It really convicted me. It's such a hard topic, yet so easy. It's something we teach our children daily, and expect them to practice... yet it is something we adults struggle with- I think especially as women- specifically, me. :)

We studied Ps. 133. Rob spoke of the beauty of the church gathering together as one heart and mind to praise the Lord. It's so good and edifying for God's people to live together in unity, standing firm together on the same solid foundation that is Christ.

But there is one problem. The same problem that separates us from God. The problem that makes us need a savior. Sin. We are sinful people. We fail each other. We mess up. We hurt each others' feelings. Then we loose that unity. A lot of the time we hold each other to a standard that only Christ has attained, a standard we will never be able to reach. If someone messes up and causes me pain, do I forgive as Christ has forgiven me? Or do I store that screw up in my pocket and distance myself. I have done that with people, and the problem that it creates is that my pockets get so full of storing all these wrongs that others have done against me that it becomes a heavy burden to carry. I'm so thankful God hasn't kept a list of all my wrongs and distanced himself from me.

Rob said that when we don't forgive, we are giving place to bitterness, tension, division, back-biting, and dissension, and those things will consume us. It will not be a pleasant experience. There is a great example of bitterness that Rob has shared several times. When talking about storing bitter feelings, it can also be said that we are letting a bitter root grow. We all know that tree roots can get gnarly and huge; sometimes they can get out of control and rise up to the surface and break up sidewalks. Those roots cause damage. Someone can get hurt. The illustration can be applied to unforgiving. When we give place to bitterness, it can grow and get out of control. It can consume us and cause damage. Instead, the root must be dealt with when it's small. Cut it off while its easy to cut. Control it before it controls you.

There are lots of scripture references that Rob shared about the topic. Here are some of them:

• "But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.'" -Matt. 12:25
• "and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves." - 1 Thes. 5:13
• "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." -Rom. 12:18
• "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." -Heb. 12:14

In vs. 3 of Ps. 133 when it speaks of the dew of Mt. Hermon, Rob was pointing out that when we are loving, forgiving and living in unity with each other it provides a fertile soil for the Lord to work in us and produce great fruit. When we are stuck in unforgivness and bitterness, it grieves the Lord and quenches the Spirit. Instead of being alive and producing fruit, we shrivel up.

I think relationships are the most important thing God has given us. They are more important than health, wealth, careers, possessions, beauty, etc. Relationships are the only things that are eternal. I pray that God will help me to value the relationships He has put in my life. I pray that He will teach me to love and forgive like He does.