Philippians 2:1-2
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
Every pastor tends to find themselves needing to pray for a congregation which worships and serves in unity, and the Apostle Paul was no exception. Paul tells the church at Philippi that he would rest in a full serving of joy if the church would be filled with unity. He would know joy if they would be like-minded in their desires to honor Christ. He would know joy if their love for each other would be given without measure, withholding none of it from any in their congregation.
Paul understood the very real truth that disunity defeats the effectiveness of any church. When there are disputes, anger, ill will, and hurt feelings within the body of Christ, Spirit filled worship is not really possible. Sure, we try to lift up the name of Christ, but in our disunity, we've given Satan a foothold in our lives, and our Lord is not receiving the full worship he desires. The problem is that the fellowship we enjoyed with the Spirit's touch is withheld when we are not in fellowship with each other.
Likewise, when there are raging disagreements as to how to spend the weekly offerings or from a special campaign, bitterness grows, even as we promise to be in prayer concerning the situation at hand. But quite frankly, our prayers are superficial, not really seeking God's will but our own way. Again, the thing that is lacking is the fellowship of the Spirit. As we break fellowship with each other, we break fellowship with God in our lives.
And when this happens, the ministries of the Lord through the local church come to a halt. Few find themselves willing to belong to the church. Fewer are willing to sacrifice through service and giving. And fewer still remain faithful in attendance, worship and prayer.
When this happens in our church, we go weeks with no visitors. None are likely to invite another into our fellowship when we're not living in unity with each other and the Spirit. And the result is easy for all to see. Christ receives no glory. The gospel is silent in our community. The kingdom suffers.
What we need to do is pray for each other and our fellowship even when our emotions are screaming for something different. There is power in prayer, in that it opens the way for the Spirit to heal hearts and establish fellowship within the body.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I ask you to fill our church with your presence, giving us a heart for each other, lifting up each other in prayer so that we enjoy a close unit within the body. Lord, may this begin with a pure fellowship with you. Amen.
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