Unity – the state of being united or joined as a whole.
Community– a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
On the World Race, we are forced into community. We live together with a team of 6-7 people, we gather together with our squad of about 60, and we do life with the community of people in whatever country we are in. But, what I’ve learned through that, is the power of unity in community. I’ve seen the united community of Christ across the world. I’m seen Christians in Africa, who look incredibly different than me, serve the same God and build me up in my relationship with him. Here in Asia, I’ve seen people passionately pursue this same savior without hesitation. When you love people, you build them up. I’ve seen the community of believers love, serve, and be rooted in faith. I’ve gotten a chance to truly see a part of what God calls us to be, his body, working together for one purpose, to serve him and make his name known.
People have called me higher, I’ve called others higher, we’ve fought for one another in prayer and service. I saw my team rally around one of our teammates who was going through hard things and ended up leaving the mission field. I’ve seen people fight for those who are going through depression, fear, anxiety, identity, boldness, and injuries. I saw my team rally around me when I had the worst stomach flu of my life, I’ve seen people hold ones up who had cut hands, hurt ankles, torn ACL’s and even dungaue fever. I’ve seen people weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. i’ve seen what Christ commands us to do, to be rooted in love, holding one another to a higher standard, and to be ambassadors for Him.
In 1 Corinthians Paul, although he has so many things to write to the church about, chooses to focus on unity in the body of believers. In chapter 1 verse 10 he talks about being united in the same mind, in one mind and one accord. As the body of believers, we are called to the same purpose, to declare his name and make his works known. We are to work together, using our gifts for the benefit of one another. The world race has shown me the power of truly living in that type of community. We all have different backgrounds, different stories, but the same God, the same Jesus and we all have the same goal, to make his name known. We live together in one mind, in one accord.
Phillipians 3: 16 says, “Neverless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.“
The entire book of 1 Corinthians is about love and unity. Paul wanted to let the people know the importance of the church working together for the unity of Christ. As christians we collectively form a temple, God’s spirit dwells in us. In the Old testament we read about the temple, the holy place of God. The temple was sacred, it’s where God’s spirit would rest and his words were made known. Because of Christ, when we come together, we now form that temple. We are his temple of believers, and the spirit of God instead of resting on us, rests in us! What a beautiful picture. We are His temple, we are holy, we are sacred, and we are set apart.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 8 Paul begins to talk about the blessing of spiritual gifts. The early church was competing with their gifts, it wasn’t about look at what Christ is doing in me, it was about look at me. But Paul goes on to explain that, “each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good.” (12:7) We were all baptized into one body, the same spirit rests on us all. We are one spirit with many members, who should be working together for the common good. Isn’t 7 gifts working together, better than just 1?
Paul even breaks it down more when we talks about the physical body. The foot isn’t any less of the body, just because it’s the foot. Although our arms, or feet may be weaker, they are indispensable. We wouldn’t be able to walk, or write without them. If one member suffers, we all suffer. That’s what I’ve seen on this world race experience. I’ve seen members of the body working together for the common good. I’ve seen the hands, feet, arms, legs, and head all work together. This is the picture we are suppose to give the world of what the church looks like. We should always be the united church of Christ.
Finally in chapter 13 Paul talks about love, because without it we are nothing. When we are rooted in love, and rooted in Christ that’s when we can fulfill this body of united believers. We must excel in building up the church and stop looking out for ourselves, because we were made to be a part of the body!
Phillipians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself. Let each of you look our not one for his own interests, but also the interests of others.”
Here’s a link to my highlight video from my time in Cambodia! I just arrived in Thailand and am excited to spend my first day of 2017 here!
