Daily Devotional
Finding Unity Within Diversity
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
Romans 12:4-5
August 30, 2024
Ponder This
What goes into assembling a jury for a trial? Typically, the desire is to assemble a group of people who can come together to give a verdict on the decision in question. That’s what our Lord did when He took the apostles. These apostles had been with our Lord for three years: They lived with Him. They walked with Him. They were companions. They ate together. They fellowshipped together.
They were not the type of jury you would expect. John was a young man. He was a visionary. He was sort of a philosopher type. Simon Peter was the opposite of John, a big, hardworking fisherman. Then there was Simon the Zealot. He was a political activist. And then there was Matthew the tax collector. Matthew had sold out to the Roman government. Many thought of him as a turncoat.
Can you imagine having Simon and Matthew on the same jury and trying to ask them to reach a unanimous verdict about anything? All these men had different backgrounds, viewpoints, ideals, and ideas but they all agreed on one thing: what they witnessed in Christ. We are to function the same way today as the Church.
- What are some of the differences between you and some others in your congregation? How do you overcome those differences in Christ?
- How have you seen God work through differences to bring Himself glory?
Practice This
Think about someone in your church you struggle relating to. Pray Christ’s blessing on that person and seek unity in Christ.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
What is the mission of the Church?
Love Worth Finding's newest book, "A Final Charge to the Church, "is based on the final series of messages Pastor Rogers preached before retiring in 2005. Pastor Rogers wanted to prepare his congregation for the future. In doing so, he provided a biblically sound blueprint that applies to all Christians on topics including unity among believers, standing strong in opposition to the enemy (Satan), the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, steadfastness in prayer, true worship, faithfulness to God's Word, caring for others, and the kingdom authority given to believers in Jesus Christ. The book is a great read for all believers who want to become better prepared, as the bride of Christ, to be radiant, pure, and faithful to Jesus, the living Word of God.
