Foster Unity in Diversity
ICS Daily Devotions
Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV) Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
The church is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds, but Jesus Christ unites us as a body of believers, so what are some practical ways we can intentionally foster unity while respecting our diverse backgrounds? Have you ever experienced disunity in a church or group due to differing opinions or traditions? How was it resolved, and how could it have been handled better?
The Apostle Paul wrote this epistle from prison to inform the church in Phillipi of his condition. Despite being under house arrest, he was able to receive visitors and gifts, write, and send letters. The books of Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon are all prison epistles. They contain all the important teachings and instructions for the churches that the Apostle Paul had planted.
One of the purposes of writing the epistle to the church in Philippi was to address some division or discord within the church. Similarly, we are likely to have seen divided churches due to politics among the leadership, opposition to the pastor, and individuals with vested interests pulling the church in various directions instead of fulfilling what God has mandated them to do through the pastor. A divided church is one that has fallen into the devil’s trap, rendered weak and ineffective. Therefore, we must not permit the devil to gain a foothold and instigate division in our church. Instead, we must remain united for a common purpose—to worship the living God.
One crucial thing we need to note is Paul’s love for the church, just as Christ loves the church. A church is a body of believers who are called out, congregating to worship the living God. Honestly, the purpose and importance of the local church are often overlooked by the body of Christ today, largely due to a lack of proper teaching on the importance of the local church. Consequently, the local church is often the last priority when it comes to serving, amongst other ministries. The church which you have decided to worship in is your home church. It is a place where you worship God weekly, serving Him and making Him known through the body of believers.
Sermon Series： Unity in Diversity
