Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on June 1, 2023 at 8:29 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
The Art of Taking Responsibility
Unity Insights | Posted on May 11, 2023 at 8:19 AM by Jeff Bennett
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3 – When conflict enters our relationships, we can be tempted to blame everyone and everything else. The sins of others seem perfectly clear to us—the tone of their voices, the errors in [...]
Pride Brings Strife
Unity Insights | Posted on May 4, 2023 at 8:09 AM by Jeff Bennett
By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. – Proverbs 13:10 – Perhaps the single greatest cause of strife in the body of Christ is pride. Not only does pride repel people and create division in our relationships, but it gives birth to countless other sins that also create division. Pride moves us to [...]
Forgiven Much, love Much
Unity Insights | Posted on March 23, 2023 at 8:35 AM by Jeff Bennett
To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. – Luke 7:47 – Jesus was dining at a Pharisee’s house when a sinful woman came and washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed them with fragrant oil. The Pharisee was upset. If Jesus were truly a prophet, then [...]
Thanksgiving and Peace
Unity Insights | Posted on November 23, 2022 at 8:11 AM by Jeff Bennett
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. – Colossians 3:15 NKJV – When our faith is rooted in Christ and His grace is conforming us to His image, thanksgiving overflows in our hearts. Deep gratitude is a natural outworking of our [...]
Grown through Trials
Unity Insights | Posted on November 17, 2022 at 11:36 AM by Jeff Bennett
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4 NKJV – In his letter to a suffering saint, John Newton conveyed a precious truth of Scripture [...]
Joints and Bones
Unity Insights | Posted on November 3, 2022 at 8:00 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.” – Ephesians 4:16 – I know some brothers who would make splendid people if everyone else were dead, for they are very loving and friendly toward themselves. They would be just the sort of folk to become hermits—shut them up in a cave with a bucket [...]
Are We in a Battle?
Unity Insights | Posted on October 27, 2022 at 7:50 AM by Jeff Bennett
Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart … Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, and stayed by his inlets. – Judges 5:15–17 – When the Lord called His people to fight against the king of Canaan, several tribes refused to come. [...]
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Unity Insights | Posted on October 6, 2022 at 8:00 AM by Jeff Bennett
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9 – The Lord Jesus Christ begins His Sermon on the Mount by outlining the anatomy of a truly blessed soul. He defines real spiritual health. He does not speak as the world speaks, because the blessedness He offers does not [...]
The Pursuit of Peace
Unity Insights | Posted on September 15, 2022 at 7:49 AM by Jeff Bennett
Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. – Romans 14:19 – Peace does not happen by accident. We must pursue the things that make for peace. Human beings naturally quarrel and manipulate to get what they want. However, it takes effort to resist our [...]
The Toll of Conflict
Unity Insights | Posted on September 8, 2022 at 8:21 AM by Jeff Bennett
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. – Galatians 5:15 NLT Conflict takes a heavy toll on our relationships and on our churches. Every careless sentence spoken for the sake of winning an argument disrupts our fellowship with one another. Harsh words are like piranha [...]
Bear with the Weak
Unity Insights | Posted on August 25, 2022 at 8:02 AM by Jeff Bennett
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. (Romans 15:1 NLT) The strength Paul refers to is a strength of faith, the firm conviction that Jesus Christ paid for sin, fulfilled the Law, and set us free to enjoy the gifts [...]
Love Is a Duty
Unity Insights | Posted on August 18, 2022 at 7:55 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Believers have a duty of affectionate, sincere, genuine love in all things towards one another; a love compared to that of Christ for the church.” ~ John Owen* The modern mind finds these kinds of statements quite offensive. Christians tend to find them offensive as well. How dare anyone tell them who to love, and [...]
If Possible, Live at Peace with All People
Unity Insights | Posted on July 7, 2022 at 8:16 AM by Jeff Bennett
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Some people like to fight. No matter what we do, they won’t live at peace with us. They hate our convictions. They are alienated by our love for God. They hate our gospel and our devotion to Jesus [...]
Avoid Those Who Cause Division
Unity Insights | Posted on February 10, 2022 at 10:38 AM by Jeff Bennett
Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. – Romans 16:17 – The unity of the church depends upon separation from “those who cause divisions and offenses.” Any member of the church walking in unrepentant sin, especially blatant sin against others, causes division. They harm other [...]
If Possible, Live at Peace with All People
Unity Insights | Posted on January 20, 2022 at 7:49 AM by Jeff Bennett
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Some people like to fight. No matter what we do, they won’t live at peace with us. They hate our convictions. They are alienated by our love for God. They hate our gospel and our devotion to Jesus [...]
Thanksgiving and Peace
Unity Insights | Posted on November 24, 2021 at 7:06 AM by Jeff Bennett
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. – Colossians 3:15 NKJV – When our faith is rooted in Christ and His grace is conforming us to His image, thanksgiving overflows in our hearts. Deep gratitude is a natural outworking of our [...]
Think Before You Speak
Unity Insights | Posted on October 28, 2021 at 7:09 AM by Jeff Bennett
“He who restrains his words has knowledge.” – Proverbs 17:27 NASB – Today we can instantly inform the world about whatever we happen to be thinking. But the Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs wisely offers three cautions that help us to see how hastily sharing our opinions can cause unnecessary conflict and division between believers. Other [...]
Handle Anger Carefully
Unity Insights | Posted on September 2, 2021 at 7:07 AM by Jeff Bennett
Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. – Matthew 5:22 – Being angry with someone is not necessarily wrong, provided our anger arises for righteous reasons and is handled in a righteous way. More often than not we are angry for selfish reasons. Being angry with [...]
Less Rigid, More Pliable
Unity Insights | Posted on June 17, 2021 at 7:07 AM by Jeff Bennett
“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself” – Romans 14:14 – Some Christians pride themselves on being strict and stern. Their idea of righteousness is having rigid requirements that must be precisely followed. They pride themselves on their uncompromising standards, not caring that their harsh legalism [...]
Sinful Anger Separates Us
Unity Insights | Posted on June 3, 2021 at 7:30 AM by Jeff Bennett
The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” – Genesis 4:6-7, NKJV – Though Cain [...]
Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on May 13, 2021 at 7:57 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
Discover the Importance of Christian Unity
Posted on April 29, 2021 at 7:46 AM by Jeff Bennett
In the videos below, discover the Biblical basis for Christian unity and the resources that we've put together to equip the church to walk in it. Visit BeUnitedinChrist.com to learn more! Jesus died for our sins to unite us to God and one another Dr. John Henderson, Pastor and Professor, explains the impact of John [...]
The Art of Taking Responsibility
Unity Insights | Posted on April 22, 2021 at 7:10 AM by Jeff Bennett
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3 – When conflict enters our relationships, we can be tempted to blame everyone and everything else. The sins of others seem perfectly clear to us—the tone of their voices, the errors in [...]
Pride Brings Strife
Unity Insights | Posted on April 15, 2021 at 7:08 AM by Jeff Bennett
By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. – Proverbs 13:10 – Perhaps the single greatest cause of strife in the body of Christ is pride. Not only does pride repel people and create division in our relationships, but it gives birth to countless other sins that also create division. Pride moves us to [...]
What is the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry?
Learn about Be United in Christ | Posted on March 4, 2021 at 7:19 AM by Jeff Bennett
What is the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry? The Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry is a non-denominational, non-profit organization committed to teaching and promoting Christian unity in accordance with God’s Word in order to bring about real change in the body of Christ. Through carefully researching, writing, publishing, and promoting a library of [...]
Forgiven Much, love Much
Unity Insights | Posted on February 25, 2021 at 7:30 AM by Jeff Bennett
To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. – Luke 7:47 – Jesus was dining at a Pharisee’s house when a sinful woman came and washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed them with fragrant oil. The Pharisee was upset. If Jesus were truly a prophet, then [...]
Love Like Christ
Unity Insights | Posted on December 10, 2020 at 7:15 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Love one another; as I have loved you.” – John 13:34 – Christians, you also are to love one another not because of the gain that you get from one another but because of the good you can do for one another. I once heard a minister grumble about the Baptist denomination. He said, “I [...]
Sharing Without Dividing
Unity Insights | Posted on November 19, 2020 at 8:43 AM by Jeff Bennett
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. – 2 Timothy 2:23 – Beliefs about God are personal but not private. Christians are to share what we believe with nonbelievers and to talk about our faith with other believers. Yet talking about religion is notoriously divisive, so how do we share our convictions [...]
Grown through Trials
Unity Insights | Posted on October 22, 2020 at 9:31 AM by Jeff Bennett
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4 NKJV – In his letter to a suffering saint, John Newton conveyed a precious truth of Scripture [...]
Joints and Bones
Unity Insights | Posted on October 8, 2020 at 9:14 AM by Andrew Mackay
“Joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.” – Ephesians 4:16 – I know some brothers who would make splendid people if everyone else were dead, for they are very loving and friendly toward themselves. They would be just the sort of folk to become hermits—shut them up in a cave with a bucket [...]
Are We in a Battle?
Unity Insights | Posted on October 1, 2020 at 10:10 AM by Andrew Mackay
Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart … Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, and stayed by his inlets. – Judges 5:15–17 – When the Lord called His people to fight against the king of Canaan, several tribes refused to come. [...]
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Unity Insights | Posted on September 10, 2020 at 12:22 PM by Andrew Mackay
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9 – The Lord Jesus Christ begins His Sermon on the Mount by outlining the anatomy of a truly blessed soul. He defines real spiritual health. He does not speak as the world speaks, because the blessedness He offers does not [...]
The Pursuit of Peace
Unity Insights | Posted on August 27, 2020 at 7:49 AM by Andrew Mackay
Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. – Romans 14:19 – Peace does not happen by accident. We must pursue the things that make for peace. Human beings naturally quarrel and manipulate to get what they want. However, it takes effort to resist our [...]
The Toll of Conflict
Unity Insights | Posted on August 13, 2020 at 10:59 AM by Andrew Mackay
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. – Galatians 5:15 NLT Conflict takes a heavy toll on our relationships and on our churches. Every careless sentence spoken for the sake of winning an argument disrupts our fellowship with one another. Harsh words are like piranha [...]
Bear with the Weak
Unity Insights | Posted on July 30, 2020 at 9:52 AM by Andrew Mackay
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. (Romans 15:1 NLT) The strength Paul refers to is a strength of faith, the firm conviction that Jesus Christ paid for sin, fulfilled the Law, and set us free to enjoy the gifts [...]
Love Is a Duty
Unity Insights | Posted on July 16, 2020 at 7:41 AM by Andrew Mackay
“Believers have a duty of affectionate, sincere, genuine love in all things towards one another; a love compared to that of Christ for the church.” ~ John Owen* The modern mind finds these kinds of statements quite offensive. Christians tend to find them offensive as well. How dare anyone tell them who to love, and [...]
The Patience of the Lord Reconciles Us
Unity Insights | Posted on July 2, 2020 at 8:43 AM by Andrew Mackay
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) Let us be constantly thankful to the Lord for His marvelous patience toward us. If He was quick-tempered or unwilling to [...]
Reintroducing the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry
Unity Insights | Posted on June 25, 2020 at 11:09 AM by Andrew Mackay
In case you’ve missed it, with all the hubbub of the last few months, we want to invite you to explore our website! And, since you’re here, we thought we’d take this opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to you. The Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry was created by more than fifty individuals in ten states, [...]
What Is Our Problem?
Unity Insights | Posted on June 11, 2020 at 9:11 AM by Andrew Mackay
Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2) The sin that separates us from God is our deepest and most fundamental problem. Government is not the problem. Our spouse and children are not the problem. Our physical bodies [...]
Truth and Unity
Unity Insights | Posted on June 4, 2020 at 10:58 AM by Andrew Mackay
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). Soon after Solomon died, Israel divided into a northern kingdom ruled by Jeroboam and a southern kingdom ruled by Rehoboam. Fearing he would lose his people’s allegiance if they kept returning to the temple in Jerusalem, Jeroboam made two gold idols for his subjects [...]
The Last Word
Unity Insights | Posted on May 28, 2020 at 12:40 PM by Andrew Mackay
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14 NLT) It takes courage and humility to let someone else have the last word in the midst of a disagreement. We want to get the last word in—to have the final say. We should exercise self-control and refrain [...]
The Important Distinction Between Unselfishness and Love
Unity Insights | Posted on May 14, 2020 at 10:58 AM by Andrew Mackay
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 In his sermon titled the Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis observes the significant shift in the understanding of virtue during modern times. “If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the [...]
With One Voice: Living in Unity to Glorify God
Unity Insights | Posted on May 7, 2020 at 1:23 PM by Andrew Mackay
The ultimate aim of our unity as Christians is the glory of God. That is, to worship, honor, and exalt Him with one voice. Listen to how Paul closes his letter to the Romans: May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ [...]
