THE DAMAGE OF DISUNITY

Dwight L. Moody once stated, "I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord's people were divided." Notice what Phinehas said: "This day we perceive that the Lord is among us" (Jo 22:31). The Lord's presence was among His people, because they walked in His wisdom, and they took the time and effort to reconcile their differences.

However, if they had gone to war with one another, they would have incurred God's wrath and been destroyed. Phinehas proclaimed, "Because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord . . . You have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord" (Jo 22:31).

Duane Elmer tells us, "The destruction of unity is the destruction of something that God has made holy. Any activity contributing to disunity also contributes to the veiling of God's glory." If you want to hide the glory of God, and risk His presence departing from your worship, then allow conflict to continue. If, however, you desire to abide in His presence, then you must always seek peace and work toward the resolution of problems among brothers and sisters in Christ.

(From a sermon by Damian Phillips, Dealing With Division, 9/3/2011)