HARMONY A RADIANT THING

 

 

Years ago Herman Melville wrote about a whaling ship that sprung into action when they spotted a whale. He wrote: ““They were one man, not thirty. For as the one ship that held them all; though it was put together of all contrasting things: oak, maple, pine wood, iron, pitch and hemp, yet all these ran into each other in the one hull, which shot on its way. Even so, all the individualities of the crew, this man’s valor, that man’s fear; guilt and guiltiness, all varieties were welded into oneness, and were all directed” to the goal the captain had set for them. They were “one man, not thirty”! 

In Philippians 1:27-30, Paul tells the Philippians Christians to stand strong for the Lord against external conflicts.  In verse 27 he says stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel”. We are not meant to live the Christian life in isolation, unity with others is vital for survival. In chapter two he tells them to guard against internal conflicts in the church. If Satan can’t destroy the church from without, he’ll attack from within.

The church at Philippi was a good church, but like any other church it was not perfect. Paul sensed that underneath the surface there were cracks that if not repaired would fragment the congregation. He wanted to repair those cracks while they were small and the fissures easy to fill. There were no major divisions, but bickering between some members like Euodia and Syntyche was threatening to destroy the unity of the church (Phil. 4:2-3).

These were good Christian women, who had both been involved in God’s work but unfortunately, they were not getting along. It’s a sad thing to be mentioned by name, in a letter that will be read for all time, because you were not getting along with another Christian! Paul said they should be helped to get along because it was so important for the witness of the church in that community.

Paul begins Philippians chapter 2 by asking four questions: is there any encouragement in Christ? Is there any consolation of love? Is there is any fellowship of the Spirit?  Is there any affection and compassion? (v.1). The answer to all of these questions, if you are a Christian, is undeniably “yes”! 

The word translated "encouragement" signifies someone coming alongside and exhorting you to do the right thing.  Jesus said “anyone who loves me...My father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23). Paul declared “it’s no longer I that live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20).  His prayer was “May our Lord ...who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thess. 2:16-17).

The word translated “consolation” also means "persuasiveness".  Love is a powerfully persuasive. Jesus loves his sheep to a point of willing to put his life on the line to keep them safe (John 10:7-18). Do you love your brethren the same way Jesus loves you? Are you willing to endure discomforts or inconveniences from them or for their sake?  Jesus treasures each of his sheep, if any goes missing he goes after it (Matt 18:10-14). Do you go after the person who has been missing fellowship or do you have Cain’s attitude “Am I his keeper” (Gen 4:9).

Hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy are actions of the flesh-driven unbelievers who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5: 20-21). But, the Holy Spirit has drawn believers into fellowship with God and baptized them into one body (1 Cor.12:13). Those who belong to Jesus have crucified the flesh. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is manifested in their lives (Gal 5:22-25). What is seen in you by those around you?

In his final prayer here on earth, three times Jesus repeatedly prayed for the unity of His people (John 17:11, 21, 22).  And he repeatedly gave the reason for that request “so that the world may believe”. He prayed that they may be perfected in unity, so that “the world may know that you sent me” v.23. Jesus authorized the unbelieving world to judge whether or not the Father sent Him into the world based on the church's visible unity. A church where all people live and work together in harmony is powerful and effective.

So what specifically can we do, to make and to maintain biblical Church unity. In Philippians 2: 2 Paul suggest four things: be of the same mind, maintain the same love, be of one accord, be of the same purpose.  They were to maintain the same kind of sacrificial love exemplified by Christ. His prayer for the Romans was that “the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” (Rom. 15:5).

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Paul describes what biblical love looks like. It is patient and kind, it does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.  It does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Such love demonstrated in a church makes it strong, attractive and vibrant.

Paul suggested four lifestyles that would build unity in the church at Ephesus. He said “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3).  Humility has to do with not thinking of yourself as better than others. It’s the opposite of pride which is assuming that everything and everyone exists for your joy and satisfaction.

Gentleness has to do with considering others, forfeiting your rights. Jesus was gentle and lowly of heart (Matt 11:29). A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out (Matt 12:20).  The Pharisees sought to break all who they considered to be less than perfect keepers of the law. But, Jesus would not break a tender and fragile person. If there was a “smouldering wick,” rather than snuff it out, he would reignite it. All his actions were redemptive in nature.

He told his disciples to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Matt 10:16). Paul wrote to the Colossians “let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt” Col 4:6.  Believers must make gracious conversation a habit as Christ did “all were speaking well of him and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from his lips” (Luke 4:22). Our words should build and strengthen relationships.  No unwholesome word should proceed from our mouth (Eph 4:29).

Patience has to do with bearing other’s shortcomings, weaknesses and failures. Paul the great destroyer of the Church before he was converted wrote in Timothy “I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16). The Lord has been patient with us in some ways, so let us be patient with others too.

We should zealous fight for the church’s unity rather than zealously fighting for our own rights, privileges, and preferences? (Eph 4:3). If we cultivate these qualities that are found in our Lord Jesus and that the Spirit produces in us the result will be a visible peace that binds us together and displays the wisdom and glory of God to an unbelieving world. Jesus reminds us of the incredible power of this kind of unity.

So many churches fail to live in unity. Satan gets a hand in, stirs up controversy  and  divides churches, because he knows it will weaken them on their mission. Unity is precious, it is to be prized, sought and guarded at all cost. In a warped and crooked world, where each lives for his own ends, a community where there is harmony, love and fellowship would be a rare and radiant thing.