daily bible readings

Yesterday, we painted a hypothetical picture of a church considering whether to lay carpet or vinyl in the sanctuary. Given the current situation of the carpet in the sanctuary, doing nothing is not an option. Something has to be laid down to replace the current carpet. To make matters worse, the congregation have already met once and two distinct camps have formed. Negative comments have already started flying  across the divide. Is there a way forward? Is a solution possible? Is reconciliation possible? Is there a way to find a solution that brings peace, harmony and unity?

While the Bible does not obviously have anything to say about carpet versus vinyl, there are principles and goals to follow. Several points will be made that can be used in any situation of division, conflict or fracture.

· First and foremost, the goal has to be to find the will of God regarding the matter. People often speak in meetings using the phrase, or something similar, “Here’s what I think..”  Many conflicts arise in churches because several people share what they think. The goal is not to share what I think but to find out what God thinks.

·  Each person in the various groups needs to consider why they really are holding to their position. Motives need to be weighed up individually so that, God willing, all false motives can be eradicated.

· A hard-heartedness and unwillingness to listen to other points of view is sinful. Until we know the will of God, every point is equally valid and needs to be listened to.

· Personal attacks and character assassinations are sinful beyond measure. Anyone who resorts to as much, needs to be ejected from the meeting immediately.

· Pragmatics may provide us a way forward, but pragmatic solutions are not always in line with the will of God. We should never assume something is the will of God just because it works.

· God’s will and agenda is rarely, if ever, tied to money in the Bible. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and can provide in ways that we could never imagine. While money needs to be considered, it should always be just one factor in a multitude of factors.

· The mindset of both camps needs to change dramatically. If both camps face the problem together, they can focus together on the issue and work together to find the will of God. Rather than attacking each other, they can attack the problem. What happens together.

· Sacrificial love and grace are always worth showing in a stand-off regarding some decision that has to be made.

What happens in this hypothetical congregation with a hypothetical problem depends largely on how the individuals conduct themselves. The whole congregation can only work together and seek the will of God as each individual decides to give up their head strong stance and agrees to work towards finding the will of God, no matter what that may be.

PRAYER

Adoration

· Adore God that there is no conflict or clash in the Godhead but rather, perfect oneness and unity.

· Adore God that His unity and oneness forms a great model for our oneness and unity.

Confession

 Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness

Thanks

· Thank God that you can work towards unity in all decisions by agreeing to seek the will of  God.

· Thank God that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness and for finding His will.

Supplication

· Pray that your congregation would be committed to finding the will of God in all things. 

· Pray that a spirit of unity and oneness would grow strongly in your congregation.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In what way does unity deny the Godhead?

2. In what way does division in the church betray the gospel?

3. What might a congregation do if they cannot reach unity in a decision?