Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10 NRSV
Because we are created in the image of God, we have an innate desire to conform to the likeness of God. The problem comes in when we yield to our fallen (sin) nature instead of the divine nature.
Now is the time to surrender fully to God’s will. We think that doing God’s will is burdensome and a drag, but that is not true. In fact, when we walk in the Spirit, doing God’s will becomes automatic. So instead of striving to please God in your own strength, give up. Admit that you can’t do it and you need His help to live a life that pleases Him.
I’m not saying give up on trying to please God. I am saying abandon trying to do it in your own effort. It’s a sweet surrender. We lay down our selfish will and pick up God’s selfless will. As with all things, it comes down to a matter of the heart.
If your heart is right, it will birth right action. If your heart is corrupt, you will reap corruption.
So how do we agree? The Kingdom of God is not a fiefdom. Modern society answers to money not God. Businesses are largely controlled by one dominant personality. We call them Presidents and CEOs. These organizations are fiefdoms.
The Kingdom of God is the home of servant kings. Jesus does not lord His power over us for His own benefit. He laid down His life for a rebellious people to redeem them from the pit. He is our example of how to live.
We must cleanse our minds of worldly teachings that do not honor Christ’s teachings. God desires that we live holy lives, consecrated and set apart for Him.
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Everything that is visible will pass away. What remains cannot be shaken. Only what is found in God will remain. This teaches us to focus on what’s eternal and to hold lightly what is passing away.
Nothing in this world will remain. Our bodies, our buildings, our ways and our opinions. All will be consumed in the coming fire that cleanses the earth and the heavens of all unrighteousness. In light of this, what shall we do?
Surrender to God’s will. His way is perfect. He is inviting us to pursue the fullness of God in our lives in the here and now. When we let go and let God direct our steps, we walk in full agreement with His will. Quit resisting God and experience what grace feels like.
Grace is comfortable in any circumstance. Whether we abase or abound, we are content. We recognize God’s sovereign hand at work in everything. We agree that God’s way is best. We don’t have to doubt. We don’t have to worry. We don’t have to fear.
We know that God loves us. We agree with that truth. In doing so, we can accept without reservation anything that is happening as God’s will for our lives. We triumph and we learn. We praise and we pray. We worship and we walk.
Victory is found in daily walking with God. Hope is sustained in daily talking with God. Love is poured out daily as we fellowship in Christ with our believing brothers and sisters. Faith is discovered as we daily share the hope that we have in Jesus.
How can we agree? How can we thrive? How do we overcome every challenge that we will face? Simply by believing God at His Word and agreeing that His Word is truth and abiding in that truth.
If we surrender to God, live by the Spirit, are led by the Spirit and speak by the Spirit, we will be in one accord. If Jesus is your Lord and you obey His lordship in your life, you will fulfill God’s will for your life. Walk it out. One step at a time. One day at a time. It’s simple. But it’s not easy. It is the way of faith. It is the way of eternal life. And I think we can all agree, that God’s way is best. Amen? Amen.
Good word Dennis!
LikeLiked by 1 person