RESTORING UNITY - By: RC Blakes, Jr.

RESTORING UNITY

A breakdown in unity can happen before anyone realizes it. When we come together and we are not prayerful and in our feelings we can drift apart to the detriment of the body. Even the Apostle Paul had a rift that created a problem in the Body of Christ.

Acts 15:36-39. 36. And after some time Paul said to Barnabas, Come, let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are getting along.37. Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark [his near relative].38. But Paul did not think it best to have along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39. And there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. AMPLIFIED VERSION

Paul and Barnabus parted ways because of a disagreement about taking Mark on the journey. Paul didn't want to take him because he deserted the mission on a previous occasion and Barnabus wanted Mark to come .

So, Paul and Barnabus parted ways because of Paul's broken trust in Mark. The mission was compromised because personal feelings started influencing ministry decisions.

Even Though Paul Had An Issue With John Mark, It Is Apparent In Scripture That Paul And Mark Reconciled At Some Point.

2 Timothy 4:11. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
This is the same Mark that Paul previously had an issue with.

IMPACT POINT! Spiritually Mature And Healthy People Are Always Uncomfortable With Division And They Work Towards Restoration Of Unity At All Cost.

Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Proverbs 20:3. It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.

 MESSAGE

IMPACT POINT! Some People Actually Thrive On Contention; Because, Contention Brings Attention. Some People Crave Attention.

WHAT IS UNITY? Unity is the intentional and unbreakable cooperation of individuals with a focus                                      on a greater objective.

Psalms 133:1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

The emphasis of this text is brethren dwelling together without strife or competition for a common and greater objective

STEPS TO RESTORED UNITY:

A. ADDRESS WHAT CAUSED THE OFFENSE

There's no way to avoid offences among multiple personalities. When someone is offended it is their responsibility to address the matter before it becomes cancerous.

If you are aware that another is offended by something you did its your responsibility to go and make it right.

Matthew 5:23-24. 23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

IMPACT POINT! Always Make Certain That You Deal With Your Personal Transgressions Against Others

Luke 17:1-2. ​1. Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

IMPACT POINT! To Talk About Your Offences To Anyone Other Than The Person Is Hypocrisy

B. RELEASE THE VENOM OF UNFORGIVENESS FROM YOUR HEART

If we would practice forgiveness, we would never be offended.

IMPACT POINT! Jesus Never Needed An Apology And He Always Forgave Quickly. This Was For His Own Spiritual Health

Luke 17:3-4. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

IMPACT POINT! It's Impossible To Avoid Offences; But It Is Possible To Live Without Being Offended When You Can Forgive

C. ADJUST YOUR BEHAVIOR TO NEVER GIVE OFFENSE AN OPPORTUNITY AGAIN

Most of the things that offend people in families, churches and even on jobs are trivial and simply require a more mature person to steer around the personality road bumps.

The Apostle Paul talked about how he adjusted his approach towards people based on where the individual was. To avoid offences in the future requires adjusting to the person.

1 Corinthians 9:22-23. 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.