By Shawn Parker
Executive Director-Treasurer
Miss. Baptist Convention Board
I remember preaching in a church many years ago called Harmony Baptist that had split off from another church in the community (I’m not kidding, though I am changing the name to protect the guilty).
Unfortunately, the name didn’t seem to fit the circumstances and the community knew that better than did the church. This one thing I know about the enemy: he loves to infect the church with the virus of division. The surest method to counter this spiritual cancer is unity.
In Ephesians 4:15, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” This statement offers succinct insight into the nature of unity in the body of Christ.
First, we’re reminded that the foundation of our unity is nothing less than our Lord Himself. While we might be tempted to believe that buildings or budgets unite churches, the truth is we are bound together by our common connection to Christ.
First, we’re reminded that the foundation of our unity is nothing less than our Lord Himself. While we might be tempted to believe that buildings or budgets unite churches, the truth is we are bound together by our common connection to Christ.
Paul also challenged the Ephesians to grow up. People who quit growing in Christ are usually those who become distracted by the things of this world that create conflict. In addition, when a church quits growing spiritually, they become vulnerable to the disruptive work of the devil.
One sure antidote to brewing antagonism in our churches is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Thankfully, the effects of COVID-19 are waning and the opportunities for gathering are looking better by the day. Nevertheless, the enemy is still at work to create havoc in our minds and in our churches. The key to combating this attack is to stand on the foundation of Christ and to grow in our walk with Him.
May we never fall victim to putting our spiritual lives on cruise control and expecting that all will work just fine. Autopilot simply doesn’t exist in the cockpit of faith!
One of the most attractive aspects of a local church is a spirit of unity in our Lord. When a church begins to bicker and backbite, it is repulsive to unbelievers. This is precisely why we need to work hard to insure that our fellowship is strong and sound.
When a person who has gone through a bitter divorce comes to a church that is filled with unity, it’s spiritual serum for their soul. When a working person who deals with criticism and cutthroat tactics every day comes to a church family filled with love, it’s like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
So, whether you are a church leader or member, I hope you’ll do all you can to build peace and fellowship in the body of Christ. It’ll do your soul good, it might be the medicine someone else needs, and it’ll please our Lord.
Of all the vaccines on the market, the unity of Christ’s body is perhaps the most effective. Now that’s the simple truth!
The author may be contacted at simpletruth@mbcb.org.
