A short while ago MBC’s Interim Leadership Team considered this list of Bible verses. After last Sunday’s service about unity, it seemed the right time to send it out to all members and friends (and yes, it does coincide with the church meeting) since the verses are all relevant to how we relate to each other and to maintaining, or restoring our unity as the body of Christ in our church.
As you will see the verses are varied, some we may find easy to take on board, others will be more challenging. They are presented here as a list, but may each of us consider each one and take it as a point of prayer for ourselves and for the church. May we pray that God will open our eyes to see how they relate to each of us and allow him to make us more like him,
- This is my commandment, that you love one another (John 15)
- By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13)
- Love one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4)
- “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 13) – in other words don’t stop loving each other when things get difficult or we disagree
- How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister when they sin against me ? Up to seven times ? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18)
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1)
- For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6)
- In humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2)
- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. (Romans 12)
- Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12)
- Do not judge, or you too will be judged… Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye ? (Matthew 7)
- Don’t grumble against each other, or you too will be judged (James 5)
- Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12)
- Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1)
- With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in God’s likeness. My brothers, this should not be (James 3)
- Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed (James 5)
- Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2)
- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5)
- “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men and women who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13). A challenging verse which raises many questions that need to be further explored, but one of the issues it highlights is that how we respond, behave and speak to our leaders (who we have chosen) can make their task a burden, rather than a joy which the verse clearly implies it should be. When we raise matters or concerns with our leaders, which is a proper and essential part of church life, do we consider not only the details of the matter we are raising but also of whether what we are raising and how we are doing it (e.g. the timing, the words we use, the means by which we communicate, the spirit in which we are doing it) are creating a burden rather than a joy for our leaders?
- “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs27). Possibly many situations this could apply to, but one is how open and challenging debate can be healthy in that it can build us up and strengthen us in our lives and faith. Also (do we think of the effect of our actions or words on others): “A bruised reed he will not break” (Isaiah 42)
- Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4)
- Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother (or sister) has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother (or sister); then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5)
- If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18)