Daily EncouragementSample

In no area is God more concerned to encourage his people than in their desire for unity. In doing so he is answering not only their prayers, but the prayer of his Son - “May they be brought to complete unity” (John 17:23). True unity is a spiritual matter - “a spirit of unity among yourselves.” It is not the creation of uniformity which brings this about, but a sustained effort “to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit” (Eph. 4:3-4). True unity is achieved as every member follows the Lord - “as you follow Christ.” Our fellowship with him and our fellowship with one another go together. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). True unity calls for endurance and patience. Accepting one another is essential for unity. This is not always easy, because some are weak and some are strong, and the weak may have strong opinions when it comes to food and drink and other peripheral matters. True unity is manifested in our worship of God - worship which shows that we not only have “one mouth” but “one heart” as well.