Unity: The Foundation For Increase Part 2 : Bishop Tony Samuels
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)
To see increase in our lives, we are going to have to cultivate an atmosphere of unity. Psalms 133 says, How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, for in that place God commands His blessing. The move of God is restricted in our lives when there is disunity. The enemy has an assignment to try to divide us; if he can divide us, he can conquer us. Jesus said a house divided against itself can’t stand. To maintain unity and counter the attacks of the enemy, which we discussed last week, we are going to have to apply the glue of the Holy Spirit to keep us together…and that glue is love. Colossians 3:14 (AMP) says, Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in unselfish love, which is the perfect bond of unity for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others. Love on purpose; love by decision; love by the power of God…this love will be the glue that keeps us together.
Another way the enemy divides us is by making us lose sight of the big picture. He will do everything in his power to take our eyes off of the big picture and cause us live from a place where we think it’s all about us. The weapon is self-centeredness. This means: concerned solely with one’s own desires, needs, or interests. If you walk in this way, you will never see the blessings of the Kingdom of God in your life, because the Bible says to seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and everything else will added to you. Being self-centered instead of God-centered will hinder you from doing it God’s way. Look at James 4:1: What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires?
What joins us is when we, as one, decide to do it God’s way. But division will come when we choose our way over God’s way. When people do this, they have lost sight of the big picture, and this will cause the move of God to stop in their lives. You have to understand that when you were born again, you became a part of the Body of Christ. For us to fulfill the mandate of Heaven, we have to function within the Body of Christ, according to the will of God.
Greater increase will come into your life by being connected to the Body of Christ, rather than being disconnected. John 15:4-5 explains it well: So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. When we disconnect from the Body over an earthly issue, we are disconnecting from Jesus. The enemy knows this, because he wants to rob you of what God has for you. And if he can disconnect you… mission accomplished. So, my brothers and sisters, let’s endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, and we will experience perpetual increase in our lives. Don’t lose sight of the big picture!
