Greetings

When you’re part of God’s family, it’s your responsibility to protect the unity of the family.

How?

By focusing on what we have in common, not our differences. Paul writes,

Do you do that?

As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love. We share the same salvation, the same life and the same future – factors far more important than any differences; these are the things we should concentrate on, not hang-ups and petty issues.

God gave us different personalities, backgrounds, races and preferences so we should enjoy them, not tolerate them! God wants unity, not cookie-cutter uniformity. For Christ’s sake we must never let our differences divide us. We must stay focused on what matters most – learning to love each other as Christ loved us.

Problems usually arise when we shift our attention to less important things. The Bible calls these “disputable matters.”
(2Ti 2:23)

Any time we focus on personalities, preferences, interpretations, styles or methods, division always happens.  But if we concentrate on loving each other and fulfilling God’s purposes, harmony results.  That’s why Paul pleaded, “Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church.  I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (1Cor.1:10)

This devotional was shared with me by one of our consistory members and I forward it on to you. I forward it because as we seek God’s vision for St. Paul’s and evaluate and consider new initiatives and strategies.  It is easy to become distracted from our purpose. Let us embrace the words and thoughts of St. Paul for whom our church is named after.

Yours In Christ,