This morning I went for a run after spending some time reading in the book of Jeremiah. I felt a weight pressing on me in the spirit – a weight from the Lord. As I ran, I listened to what He would say. I feel like the message He gave me is for the church today.

What I felt was an impression to remind the Church that our enemy is invisible and he works to sow disunity among believers. Will we let him? A unified Church following the Spirit will prepare the way for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. A divided Church, however, is a like an army that cannot gain enemy territory because it is distracted by bouts of friendly fire.

Friends, your brothers and sisters in Christ are not the enemy. We do not fight against flesh and blood. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.

We must remember this.

Our enemy is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He uses division and disunity to stop the work of God’s kingdom.

We know our enemy. We are familiar with his strategies; we just need to be reminded:
• He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10)
• He weaponizes arguments and lofty thoughts (2 Corinthians 10)
• He plots schemes and uses spiritual authorities (Ephesians 6)

Unity is not easy, but it’s the higher calling to which we are called.

We are responsible for what we know. Ephesians 4 calls us to these attributes that point to Christ:

“Humility” → are we considering others above ourselves?
“Gentleness” → are we speaking with each other the way Jesus speaks?
“Patience” → are we kind after we have suffered?
“Bearing with one another in love” → are we willing to endure hardships, sharp tones, disappointments, misunderstandings, and pain for the sake of a 1 Corinthians 13 love?

“Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Are we eager for this?

All relationships are hard – spouses, friends, coworkers, relatives, and neighbors alike.

Sometimes – especially during a pandemic when certain forms of entertainment are limited – Facebook friends share views that you might (strongly) disagree with. Maybe the people you’re quarantined with don’t see eye-to-eye on when and how the economy should reopen. Perhaps your boss is not being as understanding as you’d like. Maybe you just haven’t gotten in an argument in a while and, well, it’s time.

Whatever the case, conflict will arise – guaranteed. And healing takes time. We grow at different paces and walk through various seasons at mismatched times. For some, forgiveness occurs in layers, while others experience it instantaneously.

But we must press on.

If you have been hurt, choose to forgive. If you have hurt someone, choose to apologize. If you are upset in any way and for any reason, choose to be vulnerable and verbalize how you feel. How you choose to respond will determine if that relationship survives and is strengthened or if that connection withers and becomes a memory. I read the other day, “Conflict is really what sharpens our ability to love” (Dr. John Gottman).

The Church cannot be passive – we must choose! We must bear with one another, forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us, put to death our old selves, and put on love.

The kingdom is at hand!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35