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UNITY IN CHRIST
LORD’S DAY, DECEMBER 24
Joshua 22

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 

“That thou mightest fear the LORD

thy God, to keep all his statutes…”

 

UNITY IN CHRIST
 
The Promised Land was conquered and divided by lot. Israel as a nation had been formed. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh kept their word to assist the 9½ tribes in conquering Cis-Jordan. Moses permitted them to return home to their families in Trans-Jordan.
 
Before they crossed the River Jordan, they built an altar to remind them of their unity with the 9½ tribes. This unity was for the sake of their sons and daughters so that they all worshipped the same LORD, the living and true God of Israel. They did not want the 9½ tribes to prevent them from crossing the Jordan to worship the LORD. They also did not want their sons and daughters to forget the LORD and feel they were not part of the 9½ tribes. Israel’s unity was essential to them. Joshua 22:24-25: “And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel? For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.” They probably understood this vital truth after nearly 6 to 7 years of fighting side by side against the Canaanites. The unity they experienced in doing God’s work and fighting the good fight of faith was priceless.
 
Unity amongst like-minded believers must be fundamental to every believer. Without unity, the worship, witness, and service to the Lord would be severely compromised. The unity is not social, political or racial. It is spiritual. It is a unity based on Christ's salvific work in every believer’s life. God’s children must protect and do whatever it takes to maintain the unity Christ has given to them, especially those who are members of the same local church!
 
THOUGHT: How good and pleasant is it to me to dwell in unity?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me always to be one with my brethren for Jesus’ sake.

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