Romans 15: 1 - 13

 Romans 15: 1 - 13

Being part of a Christian community is not easy; it isn't meant to be easy. The powers of darkness hate the church more than anything on Earth, with the possible exception of the faithful disciple. If the church were united, the powers of hell would be completely overwhelmed. We must never doubt that factions, frictions, conflicts, and quarrels within the church, both universally and locally, are a high priority in the war department of hell. Unity can't be faked. The facade may last for some time, but at the spiritual and unseen level, disunity will undermine the church.

It has been my sad responsibility, on a few occasions, to serve local congregations that underwent conflict. Long before anyone knew that there was a problem, things changed within the church. Attendance began to decline, visitors suddenly stopped coming, and the spirit or the feel was just different. God will not bless a church where his people are beating each other up. Why would He bring a new believer or someone wanting to learn about Christ to such a congregation? In these cases I have watched churches die as a result of unresolved conflict. It may take some time, but if repentance does not happen and reconciliation is not part of the church life, conflict will ultimately kill a congregation.

As long as a church is pulling together, there is hope. It may have to struggle through many hardships, and it will require perseverance in the face of external pressure, and it will need relentless encouragement within, but the church united can and will press on.

In the church in Rome, the potential for conflict was between Jews and Gentiles. With a long history of conflict, tension, and sometimes outright hate and open war, unity between Jews and Romans was going to be a challenge. But by bearing with the weak, working for the good of others, and building up each other, even this great divide could be bridged.

There is a final note we must not miss. We won't do this on our own. In verse 13, Paul tells us that it is God who fills us, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit. We have our part to play in unity. We must desire it and seek the good of our brothers and sisters. But we must not assume that some man-made contrivance or program will accomplish all that much. It is as disciples seeking God that we are empowered by Him for the unity of the church.

“Lord, give me the grace to live in unity and godly love with my brothers and sisters. AMEN”