IN ORDER TO BE UNIFIED WITH OTHERS, RECONCILE TO GOD

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
(Psalm 133:1)

MEDITATION:
“Unity” is a word that describes togetherness, or oneness; it’s the
opposite of “being divided”. It has a peaceful sound, doesn’t it?
However we live in a world of conflict where unity is becoming
more of a rarity.

There were times when people would join together for good causes.
But in our world today, it is becoming more and more difficult to
find people who are willing to compromise their selfishness in order
to be united. Of course we should draw a line in the sand whenever
oneness means exceeding God’s boundaries, but it’s becoming more
difficult to find unity within His boundaries.

Even within the church, there are people who get upset whenever
someone sits in the pew where they usually sit. Instead of having
an attitude of embracing a unified praise and worship of the Lord,
some are more concerned about their own personal preferences.

Even in marriages we see an increase of conflict and ultimately divorce
because two people are not willing to set aside selfishness in order to
unify their relationship as God has ordained. Marriages today are so
fragile that selfishness, emotions, anger, and mistakes can cause what
started as a unified bond, to become a confrontational relationship.

And when that happens, what should be a blissful blessing from God,
becomes a life of ‘just existing’, which is devoid of the benefits of unity
as described by the psalmist.
    It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
    For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
    (Psalm 133:3)

What is the cause for the absence of unity? It has to be the influence
of Satan, right? He opposes everything good created by God and
disrespects His boundaries. Consequently, he wants to lure us into
the same mindset of his.

So, what should we do if we want to resurrect the unity in our lives?
Since the evil one is the cause of disunity, then we need to reconcile
our relationship with the God of the universe. Until we reconcile with
Him, it will be difficult to reconcile with others.

There’s a lot about us that others do not know about, but God knows
everything about us, including the depth of our desire to reconcile our
relationship with Him. Reconciliation with God not only blesses us, but
it is vital to our eternal life.
    For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled
    to him through the death of his Son, how much more,
    having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
    (Romans 5:10)

Reconciliation with God is not just something that just sounds good,
but it means we will become useable by God in His earthly ministry.
Never forget that when He granted us salvation, He also gave us at
least one spiritual gift to use in serving Him.

It is a gift that we have a responsibility to ‘activate’. In addition, God
gave us the Holy Spirit to assist us in our efforts to serve, and to help
us in transforming from our ‘old self’ to the ‘new self’ God wants us
to be. He also gave those in His family the ‘ministry of reconciliation’.
    All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself
    through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
    (2 Corinthians 5:18)

When we are ‘in Christ’, we develop a spirit of reconciliation.
Think about how that affects our lives and the lives of others.
    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation
    has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
    (2 Corinthians 5:17)
With this ‘new spirit’, we are no longer driven by selfishness because
God has taught us the value and importance of unity in relationships.

In His Word, He reminds us of the requirements for improving
relationships with others, and ultimately with Him.
    Therefore if you have any encouragement from being
    united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any
    common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
    compassion, then make my joy complete by being
    like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit
    and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
    vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
    yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each
    of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships
    with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
    (Philippians 2:1-5)

ACTION:
Are you living a life that makes you feel like you are on an island,
disconnected from others? Maybe you have a relationship with
someone that is strained at best. If so, then maybe it’s time for you
to be reconciled to God. If you do nothing, then nothing will improve,
and ‘things’ could get even worse.

Read again the devotional He sent me to distribute for today, and
meditate on the scriptures included (read them several times and
think about what they are saying specifically to you). Then pray
honestly and fully admit if you have been lackadaisical about
your relationship with God and His influence on your life.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I admit that I have allowed my relationship
with You to dwindle. I’m not sure how I arrived at this point,
but I am not where I want to be, and I know I’m not where You
want me to be. I can only imagine the blessings I have missed
due to my poor attitude regarding my relationship with You.
Forgive me Lord and help me to re-reconcile with You.”

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