Christian Unity

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We live in a world full of conflict. Conflict abounds between nations, between political parties, between races, between rich and poor, between husbands and wives, between parents and children, and most of all between sinful man and the Creator.

This world could use some peace!

As the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the source of the peace we need. First, he offers us peace with God.

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Then he provided a way for those who were in conflict to be reconciled to one another:

Eph 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

“In this one body” — that is, in the church — God intends to bring people into peace with himself, and therefore with one another. So the church must be a place of peace. Christians must be at peace with one another!

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, calls all Christians to be at peace with one another:

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

1Th 5:13b Live in peace with each other.

But this peace does not happen naturally. We have to work at it!

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

2Ti 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

The present reality is that Christians are not at peace with one another. Our divisions and our controversies stand in the way of the reconciliation of men to God and to one another. We need to quit fighting and make peace with one another.

The 21st century church of Christ needs to recommit to being a place of peace and reconciliation. The church needs peacemakers!

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

To be a peacemaker for God, first we must be at peace with God. Then we must be at peace with our brothers and sisters. And finally, we need to help others to be reconciled to God. That is God’s plan to bring peace to mankind. Let’s do our part as peacemakers!