Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
When you watch siblings play as children, it can be funny to see the things that make them argue. They fight over the way to play or the toy they want and each of these things, big or small seems to be a justified reason to divide. But as soon as they realize they would rather have a playmate than play by themselves, they usually find a way to move forward. In any group of people, it is not hard to find things we disagree. But we should ask if these things are primary or secondary issues.
As a follower of Christ, you are a part of the family of God, and you hold the most important thing in common with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Galatians 3:26-28 says, “For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We can and should work through our disagreements instead of dividing over issues like children. We can pursue each other in love even when we feel at odds because Christ has overcome the greatest offense in pursuit of us.
- Who is someone in the family of God you feel at odds with? Why?
- Who is someone in the family of God that you have unity with? What does that look like?
- Pray and ask God to help you continually pursue unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
