Day 11

Unity

Ps Veronica Mc Clement

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 NLT

Every day we are faced with the world's point of view. As Christians, we need to have a different way of looking at things. We need to look at each other from God's point of view. God reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ. He didn't count our sins against us as Jesus paid the price in our place.

God has given us a gift, 'The ministry of reconciliation. We carry this gift with us; will we give it to others? This isn't just about the gospel message. It was given to us to also pass on to those around us.

I enjoy receiving a gift, but the thing that brings me more joy is when I can give gifts to those around me. By offering the ministry of reconciliation to those around us, we pass on this gift to others which brings unity.

Our passage today Psalm 133: 1-3, speaks of our ministry of reconciliation. 

The ministry of reconciliation looks like this:

We have a choice do we offer people grace or judgment? Have you ever felt judged by others? – it's unpleasant; we feel like we need to defend ourselves. We need to be careful not to sit in a place of judgment of others; we are not the author of judgment – that's God's job. 

We live in a world full of opinions – someone's opinion rarely changes our thinking. Too often, opinion can divide us and bring disunity. It's how we choose to treat people, even when there is a difference of opinion. That will speak louder than any opinion we can offer up. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the things we agree on. Also, remember that Jesus loves each of us equally.

Unity comes when: our words and actions match up.

Meet people where they are at, even if it's messy. God meets us where we are at – He engages our broken story with the goal to bring a better ending. 

Intentional words – there is power in our words; we can choose to speak death or life over people. Engage those around you, not with judgment or criticism but with faith-filled words. Is there a gap between our words and actions?

Offering grace to people, remember we are all going through something.

Remember to laugh, help others to laugh. 

Prayer: 

Father God, help me today to love people without judgment even when we differ in opinion. Let my words be life-giving, to meet people where they are at and remind me to laugh. I thank you, Lord, that your word says where there is unity, you bring a blessing. Amen.