Grown through Trials

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 [...]

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Joints and Bones

“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 [...]

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Are We in a Battle?

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. [...]

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Blessed Are the Peacemakers

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 [...]

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The Pursuit of Peace

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 [...]

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Bear with the Weak

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 [...]

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Love Is a Duty

“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 [...]

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If Possible, Live at Peace with All People

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 [...]

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If Possible, Live at Peace with All People

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 [...]

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4 Key Questions to Ask Before Helping Others Resolve Conflict

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears. (Proverbs 26:17) Though helping to resolve conflict between fellow believers is an act of love, meddling in disputes is not. Inserting yourself into a conflict that isn’t yours is about as helpful as [...]

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Handle Anger Carefully

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 [...]

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Less Rigid, More Pliable

“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 [...]

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Sinful Anger Separates Us

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 [...]

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Differing with Deference

“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 [...]

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The Art of Taking Responsibility

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 [...]

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Pride Brings Strife

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 [...]

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Forgiven Much, love Much

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 [...]

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Discover the Importance of Christian Unity

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 [...]

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What is the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry?

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 [...]

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Reintroducing the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry

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, [...]

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Truth and Unity

“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 [...]

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The Last Word

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 [...]

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The Important Distinction Between Unselfishness and Love

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 [...]

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With One Voice: Living in Unity to Glorify God

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 [...]

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