Unity in our community
by Renée Simpfendorfer
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We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up (2 Corinthians 12:19b).
The theme of unity from yesterday’s reading can also be found in the passages from Corinthians for the next two days. In today’s passage, we read about the unity between Paul and Titus (‘with the same spirit’ from verse 18), Paul’s call for respect from the Corinthians and his desire for unity within the Corinthian church.
What things can be barriers to unity in our churches? Paul provides a comprehensive list in verse 20: quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit and disorder.
When we honestly search our hearts and lives, we can see that we don’t always strive for unity. But when we see our failings and repent (verse 21), we can begin to change with the help of the Holy Spirit.
As we commune together, receive forgiveness and live in unity with the help of the Holy Spirit, we build up our community.
Flip the list of unity barriers from verse 20, and we can find positive, helpful suggestions that build up our communities: respectful conversations, gratitude, selflessness, encouraging words, truth, humility and order.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Respectful conversations: Do we give each other the gift of our undivided attention? Do we listen deeply? How can we have difficult discussions – or even disagree – in respectful ways?
- Gratitude: What are you grateful for about your church community? Can you think of one thing you are thankful for about your church community each week on your way to/from church? Challenge yourself to make it a different thing each time!
- Encouraging words: Who can you thank? Who is going through a tough time and might appreciate a thoughtful card, phone call or email?
What areas of unity can your church or faith community focus on?
May we be one, sharing life together
With the Father and his only Son.
Now we have life in this world of death;
Heaven has begun, he makes us one.
(‘May we be one’ by Robin Mann, AT 172)
Triune God, we are sorry for the times when our words and actions cause division rather than unity. Help us to build each other up and strengthen our community. Amen.
Renée lives on Ngunawal country with her family and belongs to the community at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, ACT. She works as a teacher and enjoys listening to music, reading, walking in nature and the challenge of solving cryptic crosswords.
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