Unity

As the nation of Israel wandered aimlessly around in the desert for 40 years a very distinct pattern developed. First, the congregation would begin to murmur and complain about their situation and then they rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron.  As the rebellion gains some momentum, Korah and the sons of Levi rose up against God’s ordained leaders and demanded that they be allowed to perform the daily tasks in the tabernacle that God appointed only to Aaron and his sons.

 

“They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” 

 

God’s anger is kindled against the entire congregation and He warns Moses to separate himself from what is going to take place. Suddenly the ground splits apart, swallows Korah and his entire family including the women and children.  Once all the people are engulfed in earth then the split closes without a trace. As this horrific scene comes to an end the remaining sons of Levi panic, flee the scene literally running for their lives as God’s anger is kindled against them “And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.” Numbers 16:35

 

Grumbling, complaining, malice, bad reports, gossip and jealousy are very corrosive to our social framework and couldn’t be tolerated or allowed to flourish among the newly born nation of Israel. Their destruction has long lasting effects, leaving behind a wake of thrashed relationships, character assassinations and ugly bitterness. Once sown, these seeds of darkness germinate and grow into twisted, tangled vines that will choke out all love, joy and peace from your life.

 

What can we glean from the Israelites actions and what did Jesus teach us in the New Testament? In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul writes “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  When back in the desert with Moses the people looked to the tabernacle as the center of God in their lives. They watched in awe as God’s pillar of cloud and fire guide them both day and night. Today, as believers in Christ, we are still guided by God. The only difference is that now we are indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit and actually become the tabernacle of God. Now from within our temple (our bodies) we can draw upon His unlimited power and resources.

 

In the letter to the Ephesians 4:25-32  Paul instructs the Greek believers in Turkey not to lie, bear false witness but to speak only truth to their neighbors for we are members of one true gathering. This single point if taken to heart would stop so much drama playing out on  stages in our places of worship today.

 

If you are angry and have something against another person then go to that brother or sister and work it out. Don’t let the sun do down before the situation is resolved, in other words don’t let the seeds of bitterness germinate, grow and choke out the flowers and fruit that should be evident in a believers life. Don’t worry so much about unimportant issues that come up in our day to day lives. Don’t take what is not yours; instead work hard with your hands being content with what God has given to you.

 

 Ephesians 4:29-32 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

 

There are several sermons nested in this incredible passage but my favorite part is the sealing by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. We were never meant to be walled off from one another by denominational walls of separation. Let us begin to tear down those walls of separation and begin to love one another content to “agree to disagree” on non essential issues. Let us begin to build each other up in Christ so that the world will see our love and want to be part of our fellowship! Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end and He loves each and every person ever born on the earth equally. Let us begin now to join hands reaching out to other denominations and become “One” as our Lord wanted in the first place.