Preparing Our Hearts for the Holidays IV: Unity

Let’s continue to use Colossians 3:15 to prepare our hearts for the holiday season.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

to which indeed you were called in one body.

And be thankful.”

What amazing grace that we were called to the peace of Christ! And that in one body. We were not called to live individual lives apart from the working of the body of Christ as a whole. We are the many membered body, and Christ is the head. We should be known for our unity, as we receive instruction from His Word by His Spirit. We’ll touch on this and see what unity means for our hearts.

What we unify in matters. Some are unifying in things that are outside of God’s order. That unity will end in futility. It will end with all involved being held accountable. We want to be sure we are unified in what is true.

Once in Christ, we are told to reject a divisive man after the first and second warning. Titus 3:10-11 goes on to say such a person is warped, sinning, and self condemned. If each church takes its calling seriously, it will heed this. Unity matters if it follows, not the teachings of the Christ of culture and social media, but the Christ of the Bible. 

As we gather with loved ones that may have differing beliefs, let’s follow the wisdom I learned from my friend Muriel Cash: Is the person looking for an answer or an argument? If it’s an argument don’t engage. If it’s an answer, thank God for opportunity to share His wisdom!

And finally, let’s ask the Lord to unite each of our hearts to love and serve Him. A divided heart is a distracting and painful existence. Let’s pray and meditate on Psalm 86:11,

“Teach me Your way, O LORD;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.”