INTRODUCTION

Unity only comes from and through the Lord Jesus Christ, but once it comes, the saints of God must endeavour to keep it. Unity requires sacrifice from all who would enjoy its benefits. Only saints who exercise "lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering" will know unity. No two believers who are using the mind that God gave them will believe every minute detail alike, yet they can enjoy sweet unity and fellowship in the Lord. Obviously, there are times and reasons for believers to divide, but there are also times for believers to forbear "one another in love" and endeavour to keep the unity. This unity works by love and can only be bonded by peace.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Getting along with other children of God is a serious, determined effort that sometimes seems hard because we want to have our own way. God tells us to put others first (Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
  See All...) and do right (1 Peter 3:8-11 [8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. [10] For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: [11] Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
  See All...). Would you be willing to let someone else be the leader or play with a toy first if it avoided trouble?
• What are some of the sacrifices we must make in order to enjoy unity between brothers and sisters in Christ? What might hinder us from enjoying the unity that God wants us to have?
• What does the Bible mean when it says that unity is kept "in the bond of peace"? How does peace bind unity? How does the absence of peace cause division?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you repent when you hinder proper unity.
• Thank the Lord for the unity you experience in the local body.

HYMN

Blest Be the Tie that Binds

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