“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3
Working Together
Quarterbacks, linemen, wide receivers and running backs all do different things, but they have more success when they forget about themselves and work as if they were one man with many parts.
The word “unity” means one, and emphasizes cooperation and unselfishness. Have we really thought about how much more we could accomplish if we didn’t focus on our individual statistics or how much attention we receive?
Before Henry Ford invented the automobile, people used horses to haul merchandise to people everywhere. One large horse can haul 8,000 pounds alone, but two horses side-by-side haul much more when they work as a team. When two horses are raised up together and trained together, they do not bite each other. Instead, they calmly allow the harness to be placed on them and they step forward as a unit. When two horses are unified and cooperate as one, then they pull four times more than one horse does alone.
We can do so much more good in communities, families and churches if we put away selfishness, and labor side-by-side for a higher cause. God calls us to find a way to labor together: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6).
We labor for the Lord and not for ourselves. The Christian life should be a labor of love. If we learn to put away whispering and backbiting, and use our energy to promote peace, then we stop the devil in his tracks when he tries to drive a wedge between us. We should “live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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