Clay in the Hands

Today, my reading was in Romans.  In Romans 15:5-6, Paul encourages followers of the Way – us – by asking God to bless us with a spirit of unity.  Paul realized the importance of getting along.  As a community of believers, we are to be a family who loves one another, who enjoys being together and who takes care of one another.  Stop and think about it; who wants to be a part of a dysfunctional family on purpose?

But Paul goes on to say that the ultimate reason for this unity is what?  That God would be glorified.

The world needs to see a faith community that loves one another and God – not a community of individuals who can’t stand each other.  God is not glorified when we don’t get along.

Paul doesn’t stop with a general statement about unity.  He says that we should glorify God with one heart and one mouth.  This is the part that really caught my attention this morning as I was reading and praying through these two verses.  Paul is pushing for real unity – not just lip service.  Not only are we to be one mouth, but we have to be completely unified – we have to have one heart!

That is really hard in a family of believers.  Sometimes we go along with what is going on and we voice our agreement, but in our hearts, we are not really fully committed to the family.  Paul tells us that for God to be glorified, we need to have one mouth and one heart!

So where do we start?  Today, we start with prayer.  Begin asking God to give you and your faith community a spirit of unity not only in word but in heart.  Ask God to start with you!

Be blessed today!