Romans 15:5-7

It seems unity within the body is a big thought that is streaming through churches all across the world in the recent weeks. I heard a number of sermons and podcasts on the push to be united as a body of Christ. You can see the reasons for such a need for unity in our world today. Friends are divisive over ideas and preferences, families are torn apart by extremely busy schedules, and even American political parties are split into smaller, ideologically rigid sub-parties. Unity isn't apart of our culture on any secular level.

And then there's the church...

The American church is no better than the culture it resides in. In my small city there are 18 Christian denominations and around 60 churches in a 20 mile radius of downtown. All of these divided on matters of theology, church autonomy or worship preference. Yet, even within these individual church is division and frustration. People who want certain styles of music...people who demand a particular standard of dress among the congregation...ministries for every age and social demographic. Unity is by all accounts dead in the American church and it is by our own doing.

I have been going through a series with my youth ministry on the "Hope We Have in God". I finished the series on the need for unity in the body of Christ and for us to be always encouraged and to push our brothers and sisters in Christ in their relationship with God. This fellowship and encouragement is crucial in our faith. It is vital to know there are others who share my struggles in the faith, those who love me, those who God is using me to mentor, etc. We all play a role in the body and that is to the glory of God. I love the truth of Romans 15:5-6:

"Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice."

God is glorified by our unity. Our pursuit of Him as we push each other along is a means by which we glorify God as a unit. Before we can become a global, united body of Christ we must become a united local church and then a united group of municipal believers. So whether you are from the UK, Canada, Australia or the States there is still the tie that binds us all...

Unity. from arielamaro video on Vimeo.

...our faith!

Christians are bound by our relationship with the Father. So its time to live like what I was redeemed to be.

Live like His Heir. Live like children of God.