UNDIVIDED
Every believer must be sensitive to division and be discerning of its effects.
Ephesians 4:3 KJV
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Dear Believer,
Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples. This was important to Him and us because all He came to do would have been a waste if those in whose hands He committed everything were divided.
John 17:21 KJV
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
God hates division among His children.
When an entity that is meant to be one breaks apart, it cannot serve its purpose as it should. Division necessitates enmity, and enmity perpetuates division. It becomes a vicious circle.
Whenever a group or a home or even a church is divided, they don’t just break apart in peace. They divide against themselves. Whatever caused the division in the first place will be kept alive to keep them apart.
In a simpler version of the passage of today, it is emphasized that we should all be “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:3 NET). That means we all have the responsibility to keep the body of Christ together and must consciously make the efforts.
Division is a manifestation of carnality.
1Corinthians 3:3 KJV
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
It takes place whenever some people want to have their way at all cost. It happens when someone thinks more about himself than he ought to and gets offended when he is not given some extra recognition.
Every believer must be sensitive to division and be discerning of its effects. When rumors start flying around about your brother, stop it when it gets to you. Better to approach your brother about a thing than believe a lie about him. When the fruit of rebellion starts to grow in your heart, do not pretend that you have everything under control. Uproot it prayerfully.
Love the brethren. Remember that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Do not allow Satan to use you to do his work against your own brothers and sisters.
As you join your brethren to worship God today, let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1).
Have a great week.
Your friend,
Deon.
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Deon Akintomide is a Pastor, author and publisher. He teaches the Word of God and ministers healing to the body and the mind. He is the founding minister of the LifeHouse Global Missions and the Pastor of The LifeHouse Kingdom Centre in Lagos. Deon is married to Tola Akintomide.
