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EAGER TO MAINTAIN UNITY

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHURCH DENOMINATIONS TODAY?

There are more than 45,000 denominations globally. According to the Centre for the Study of Global Christianity, followers of Jesus span the globe. However, the global body of more than 2 billion Christians is separated into thousands of denominations. Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Apostolic, Methodist — the list goes on. So why does Christianity have so many branches? A cursory look shows that differences in belief, power grabs, and corruption all have a part to play.

We express our faith in a variety of ways based on our ethnic background. Denominations have been birthed from our ethnicities; the historical struggles of a nation or race of people contribute to our faith in God. Ensuing generations of that family will pass down stories and lessons about faith and prayer moving mountains and sustaining them through tough times. Seeds of faith will be planted and replanted through generations. How can so many church congregations produce so many different followers—all with differing ideas of faith—that all cloak themselves with the cape of “Christian”? Surely, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church must have a solution. In a multi-ethnic society, a multi-ethnic church that recognises our cultural differences, celebrates them, creates safe spaces to learn from one another, and accepts one another the same way Christ loves and accepts each of us can bring great healing. Jesus wants us to be one in our belief in him and in God the Father who sent him. So, in Him, through his gospel, in our love of our Father God, the church must strive to overcome our centuries of division. Jesus prayed that his followers “may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23).

Scriptures to meditate on before praying:

Eph.4:1-6; Joh.17:22-23; 2 Cor.3:11; Rom.12:16-18; 1Cor.1:10; Phil.1:27; 2:1-3.

PRAYER POINTERS

ME: We need to practise loving our neighbours. Examine whether you are “doing life” only with people who look like you. Don’t just strive to live a life that is reflective of whom Christ calls you to be, but actually live it out. Step into loving people who don’t look like you, don’t live in your neighbourhood, don’t vote like you, or have the same background and alma mater as you. When you do this, then inviting a person to your church community will be a natural act and less of an unnatural recruitment. Those around you will begin to see the reflection of Christ in you, and because of you, they will seek to draw nearer to Him.

US: Pray that the Lord will help us in the Church to re-discover the truth of brotherly love and that we as Christians can find a way to overcome racism and to heal the division in the Church.

THEM: Pray that Christians will stop seeing unbelievers as a threat, but rather look at them as potential brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for those around you who do not know Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Pray for leaders to have the wisdom and courage to lead us out of this stronghold of racism in our nations.

Congratulations you have completed 7 days of journeying with God on Reconciliation and Oneness, starting in your own heart and praying for your church community and your society at large. We trust that God has started a wonderful work in and through your prayers. Why not consider joining us for another 7 days? Week 5 of our One Heart Series is called Peacemakers.

"The aggressive power of the gospel is in proportion to the genuine faith and piety and example of the believers. The church is to be the Lord’s light bearer to shine amid the moral darkness of a corrupt and sinful generation. There can be nothing in the world that is so dear to God as His church. Nothing is guarded by Him with such jealous care. Nothing offends God more than for the church to be in a disunited state, because it bears to the world a very bad testimony and example." – Ellen G. White.