Overcoming in Unity

Verse of the day: Judges 20:1, So all the children of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, as well as from the land of Gilead, and the congregation gathered together as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.

This is one of the very few and rare moments during Israel’s apostasy that we see them respond properly to the atrocities that have taken place amongst their people. In chapters 18-19 we see what happens when a society moves away from God, and turns to idolatry. A son stealing from his own mother (chapter 18), a man creating his own religion, and a priest who serves for his own greed and benefit (chapter 18). In chapter 19 we see a lack of hospitality and a lack of care for the wellbeing of others. We see sexual depravity and a lack of value for life. The Levite’s actions in response to the murder of his concubine was no better than those of the people responsible for her murder. The level of immorality and corruption is mindboggling. Sadly, this is the same thing we see today in modern society. A society and culture that want nothing to do with God, but are quick to scream for justice when injustice visits them personally. A society who blames God when nothing is done to “fix” the corruptness and the chaos, when it was the people who are complaining who decided they did not need God in the first place. Here, we see a tiny glimmer of light as the children of Israel come together in unity, before the Lord, to correct a hideous wrong that has been committed. Imagine how much God could do in our midst if God’s people united like this to stand for the truth of God’s Word? Imagine what God could do in our midst if we stood together for truth in our own lives? Imagine what God could do in the world if we stood for what was right in the midst of a crooked generation? Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Regardless of how bad the world gets around us, we are called to unity and to be light bearers for Christ. Why is Christian unity so important? The answer is a simple one and one that we were given by Jesus Himself in John 17:20-21, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” When we are all one in Christ, as Jesus and the Father are one, we will make an impact on the world around us for the sake of the Gospel. We cannot change the world by trying to convince the unsaved that they need to change their behavior. The unsaved will only change when they have trusted and accepted Jesus as their Savior, and only then will they change, as Christ begins to make those changes in them Himself. However, how will they change if we fail to bring them the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Romans 10:14-15 clearly tells us, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” How will we have any influence in this world for the sake of sharing the love of Christ, if the world sees nothing but division and contention amongst God’s people? How will they not see our message as hypocritical when our lifestyle and behavior is no different than the unsaved world? How can we preach the love of Jesus when we fail to love one another? Jesus put it plainly in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The bottom line is that we have a responsibility, as God’s children, to do all that we can to avoid foolish, divisive, arguments that do nothing for cause of Christ. The Apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Timothy 2:22-23, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” Let us strive to love one another and stand in unity for the sake of effectively spreading the Gospel and bringing glory to God in a dark and crooked world.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).