Last post talked about leadership and also says that great leaders lead in the context of team – recognizing that we are all wired differently, have different passions and different gifts. The Bible always talks about the church as a group of diverse people who are being built together. (Check out Ephesians 2, 1 Peter 2, or 1 Corinthians 12 for example)
This in turn is why the area of the enemy’s greatest attack is in the area of unity – in relational conflict, offense, and divisions. He knows that if he can divide then it is harder for him to be conquered.
You know it to be true in your life: with work colleagues, your boss, your family. Sadly it doesn’t always look much different in the church – inside individual local churches, or in the church at large. You don’t have to search far to find people who don’t talk to one another any more, people who argue, people who are carrying hurt, offense, bitterness. All these things must make our enemy rub his hands with glee, and they bring pain to our Father in heaven.
This is why we must be wholly committed to being united, to loving one another, to forgiving one another as Jesus commanded, and to dealing with conflict in the way Jesus commands. Now obviously there are going to be some people – inside and outside the church – who believe different things to me or who do things that I find objectionable. I’m not saying we just cover over differences, but I am saying we need to be committed to loving one another, and ensuring that no root of bitterness grows up and defiles many (Hebrews 12:14-15).
How do we live this way? Check out Matthew 18. Read the whole thing and see not only Jesus’ instructions on how to deal with conflict, but Matthew’s context in writing. Those who are greatest in the Kingdom are those who:
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humble themselves
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go after the brother who leaves the flock
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deal with conflict in a way that restores and brings unity, and
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forgive as many times as is necessary.
