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![\"Keys](\"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/keys-to-unity.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDivisiveness describes our world today, which sadly also creeps into our churches. We can’t function like the world, from a political stance of pride and prejudice, and expect to experience the unity described in Scripture. We must function from our position “in Christ.” Therein we find encouragement and the building up of one another, rather than reacting toward one another with anger, deceitfulness, and manipulation.<\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul gave the Philippian church four conditions upon which unity would be based. Notice how the word “if” occurs four times.
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Therefore if<\/strong> there is any encouragement in Christ, if<\/strong> there is any consolation of love, if<\/strong> there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if<\/strong> any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Phil. 2:1-2, NASB)<\/em><\/p>\n This post will zero in on the first “if” with subsequent posts looking at the other keys to unity<\/a>.<\/p>\n The first “if” points to our position “in Christ” — “if there is any encouragement “in Christ” (Phil. 2:1). According to Ephesians 2:6, God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” When we look at life from that position, we see things differently than when we are right in the fray of it all. We see the big picture, not merely the piece that affects me.<\/p>\n So much of the divisiveness comes from wanting our own individual ways rather than what’s for the good of the whole and most importantly for what honors and glorifies God. If we step out of ourselves and look at life through the eyes of Jesus, our hearts begin to change. We’re willing to sacrifice our own agendas. — “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death …” (Phil. 2:5-8)<\/em><\/p>\n Face it: The Church is filled with human beings. We won’t always see eye to eye. Leaders will sometimes fail. People will disappoint. We can still be encouraged despite the blemishes when we look at the Church as it is “in Christ”. Then we will no longer focus on all its flaws. We will see the Church as God sees her “in Christ” — dearly loved, His precious pride. When we see the Church from His vantage point, then we can come alongside (paraklesis<\/em>) of each other in Him. We will speak the truth in love, not anger and disgust, spurring one another on rather than tearing each other down.<\/p>\n Reality tells us we won’t always agree but “in Christ” we can still come together. We will seek to get on page with Him, not pull others to our side. Then, even if things don’t go our way, we can rejoice together and move forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Divisiveness describes our world today, which sadly also creeps into our churches. We can’t function like the world, from a political stance of pride and prejudice, and expect to experience the unity described in Scripture. We must function from our position “in Christ.” Therein we find encouragement and the building up of one another, rather than reacting toward one another with anger, deceitfulness, and manipulation. . . . Continue reading Unlock the Door to Unity from Your Position “in Christ”<\/span>To Experience Unity We Must Function from our Position “in Christ”<\/h2>\n
Functioning from Our Position in Christ Leads to Encouragement<\/h2>\n