UNITY TAKES PRACTICE
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's supper), and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 (NLT)
However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)
The phrase I get along with everybody is used loosely. I've met people with whom that phrase rings true. However, I own a mirror, and it tells me that it's rare to find that within myself. The truth that shines here is that we haven't met everybody in life yet. Unity requires practice. Acts tells us that all the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship. The word devoted is defined as loyal, faithful, or steadfast. Being true to the call is another way to put it. Practice makes perfect. That's not entirely true, but practice certainly drives us to be devoted to something.
If I knew I had the gift to be a baseball player, I wouldn't be devoted to golf. No, I'd spend my time in the batting cages, on the diamond, and studying the great baseball players of all time. The same is true for staying in unity as Christ-followers—we spend a lot of time with other believers, we stay in the Scriptures, we share meals, and we pray for each other.
In Ephesians, unity in the body of believers also highlights the gifts others have been given. Imagine the hand saying to the foot, Hey, foot, thanks for the ride. You got us here well, or the foot saying to the hand, Hey, nice grip. You hold stuff well. If your pastor communicates well, tell them. If your Community Group leader teaches well, tell them. Practicing this type of encouragement helps build confidence so people's gifts can mature.
As a kid, I remember not getting along with my siblings, and we were forced to sit on the couch together until we learned to get along. As believers, we must spend time together to develop unity as one body in Christ. It's going to be hard at times, but practice gives birth to unity.
APPLICATION: If you're part of a Community Group, allow yourself some vulnerability in the Group. When you see someone using their gifts well, encourage them by sharing that with them. If you aren't part of a Community Group, get connected, dive in and let your gifts shine.
PRAYER: Jesus, may I remain teachable and not hold back on the gifts You so generously gave me. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?