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 [...]
Armed with the Same Mind
Unity Insights | Posted on March 16, 2023 at 7:53 AM by Jeff Bennett
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. – 1 Peter [...]
Do Not Be a Cause of Stumbling
Unity Insights | Posted on February 16, 2023 at 7:57 AM by Jeff Bennett
Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. – Romans 14:13 – Passing judgment on other Christians is easy. Supporting their freedom in Christ is hard. Yet this is what the Lord requires. Some Christians feel free [...]
What Unites Us
Unity Insights | Posted on January 19, 2023 at 8:18 AM by Jeff Bennett
You are all one in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:28 – What is the bond that keeps these united ones together? Among other things, there is the bond of having the same origin. Every person who is a partaker of the life of God has sprung from the same divine Father. The Spirit of God [...]
Christian Unity Glorifies God
Unity Insights | Posted on December 1, 2022 at 9:42 AM by Jeff Bennett
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 [...]
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 [...]
One Mediator
Unity Insights | Posted on November 10, 2022 at 8:20 AM by Jeff Bennett
There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 2:5 – There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. All other roads are false. All other means of approaching God and satisfying His justice will only provoke Him to wrath. No [...]
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. [...]
The Profit of All
Unity Insights | Posted on October 20, 2022 at 7:54 AM by Jeff Bennett
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. – 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 – [...]
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 [...]
Stirring up Love, Good Works, and Unity
Unity Insights | Posted on September 29, 2022 at 8:10 AM by Jeff Bennett
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24–25 Our Lord’s return often feels distant, but in reality [...]
One in Christ
Unity Insights | Posted on September 22, 2022 at 7:54 AM by Jeff Bennett
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28 Throughout church history we have struggled to embrace the truth of this verse. All of us are one in Christ Jesus, which means ethnicity, socioeconomic status, [...]
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 [...]
Called to Something Better
Unity Insights | Posted on September 1, 2022 at 8:15 AM by Jeff Bennett
You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? – 1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT Followers of Jesus Christ are not to live like people of the world. We are not to live in envy, strife, [...]
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 [...]
The Lamb is Worthy
Unity Insights | Posted on August 11, 2022 at 8:01 AM by Jeff Bennett
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10, NKJV) [...]
Spurgeon Answers, “What Is the Unity of the Spirit?”
Unity Insights | Posted on July 28, 2022 at 7:31 AM by Jeff Bennett
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3) Let us ask ourselves, “Do we have the unity of the Spirit?” No one can have it except those who have the Spirit, and the Spirit only dwells in born again, believing souls. By virtue of having the Spirit, every [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Stirring up Love, Good Works, and Unity
Unity Insights | Posted on December 2, 2021 at 7:11 AM by Jeff Bennett
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24–25 Our Lord’s return often feels distant, but in reality [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Armed with the Same Mind
Unity Insights | Posted on March 11, 2021 at 7:22 AM by Jeff Bennett
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. – 1 Peter [...]
Do Not Be a Cause of Stumbling
Unity Insights | Posted on January 28, 2021 at 7:12 AM by Jeff Bennett
Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. – Romans 14:13 – Passing judgment on other Christians is easy. Supporting their freedom in Christ is hard. Yet this is what the Lord requires. Some Christians feel free [...]
What Unites Us
Unity Insights | Posted on January 7, 2021 at 7:20 AM by Jeff Bennett
You are all one in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:28 – What is the bond that keeps these united ones together? Among other things, there is the bond of having the same origin. Every person who is a partaker of the life of God has sprung from the same divine Father. The Spirit of God [...]
Blessing Believers in Montonto, Kenya
Impacting the World with Christian Unity | Posted on December 8, 2020 at 7:19 AM by Jeff Bennett
At a recent event in Motonto, Kenya, pastors and teachers from across the region eagerly requested the resources we provided to further educate them on our Lord’s prayer for the unity of believers. How beautiful it was for our volunteers to witness their hunger! We pray that every leader who received our materials is inspired [...]
Be Holy
Unity Insights | Posted on December 3, 2020 at 7:10 AM by Jeff Bennett
As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:15–16 – God is holy. He exists without any impurity, entirely set apart by the perfection of His spiritual beauty. We cannot stand in His presence without [...]
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 [...]
Caring for the Homeless in Ohio
Impacting the World with Christian Unity | Posted on November 17, 2020 at 7:13 AM by Jeff Bennett
By God’s grace, the Be United in Christ Outreach Ministry was able to bless City Rescue Mission, a Christian homeless shelter in Ohio, with a donation to help lodge and feed 25 to 30 people each day. “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to [...]
The Love of Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Unity Insights | Posted on November 12, 2020 at 12:15 PM by Jeff Bennett
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. – 1 John 3:14 NKJV – The assurance of our salvation, to know that we truly belong to Him, is a precious gift from the Lord. Evidence of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is one of these [...]
Christian Unity Glorifies God
Unity Insights | Posted on November 5, 2020 at 8:19 AM by Jeff Bennett
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 [...]
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 [...]
One Mediator
Unity Insights | Posted on October 15, 2020 at 1:15 PM by Andrew Mackay
There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 2:5 – There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. All other roads are false. All other means of approaching God and satisfying His justice will only provoke Him to wrath. No [...]
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. [...]
The Profit of All
Unity Insights | Posted on September 24, 2020 at 3:53 PM by Andrew Mackay
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. – 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 – [...]
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 [...]
One in Christ
Unity Insights | Posted on August 20, 2020 at 12:25 PM by Andrew Mackay
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28 Throughout church history we have struggled to embrace the truth of this verse. All of us are one in Christ Jesus, which means ethnicity, socioeconomic status, [...]
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 [...]
Called to Something Better
Unity Insights | Posted on August 6, 2020 at 9:45 AM by Andrew Mackay
You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? – 1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT Followers of Jesus Christ are not to live like people of the world. We are not to live in envy, strife, [...]
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 [...]
The Lamb is Worthy
Unity Insights | Posted on July 23, 2020 at 3:29 PM by Andrew Mackay
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10, NKJV) [...]
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 [...]
Spurgeon Answers, “What Is the Unity of the Spirit?”
Unity Insights | Posted on July 9, 2020 at 7:42 AM by Andrew Mackay
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3) Let us ask ourselves, “Do we have the unity of the Spirit?” No one can have it except those who have the Spirit, and the Spirit only dwells in born again, believing souls. By virtue of having the Spirit, every [...]
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 [...]
