(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)

He (Jesus) gave gifts for the maturing of the saints and for edifying the body until we all come in the unity of the faith. I believe this means that in order to become all God has called us to be and do, we're going to have to grow up - together. This is no different than the human body. Take the arm for instance. The hand, wrist, and elbow must grow and work together. The hand can’t say, “I’m leaving the wrist and elbow behind because I don’t need them.”

I Corinthians 12:20: But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

This reminds me of the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001”. This Act came about as wide public concern about the state of education was looming. This wouldn’t be a bad motto for the body of Christ, ”No Child of God Left Behind.”

Ephesians 4:15: But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head even Christ.

It’s important to speak the truth in love because people need to hear the truth so they can grow up into the head, Jesus Christ who is the truth. He is the head and we are the body. We must grow into the head.

Psalm 133:1: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Verse 3 says, “For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore." God commands His blessing on unity! Folks, we need unity in the body--not shunning a part of the body because they don’t believe just like you, but loving them.

I John 1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship (communion) with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Remember, God is light and God is love. Walking in love keeps us under the blood of Jesus and in unity and fellowship with one another. The Amplified Bible says, “But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]."

Amos 3:3: Can two walk together, except they are agreed? The Amplified Bible says, “Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed."

As Christians we may not agree on everything, but let’s walk in the light of the agreement we do have. Jesus Christ died for our sins and has brought us into the family of God. If someone believes that, they are your brother or sister in Christ. They are part of the body and Jesus is our common bond.

Let’s unify and grow up together.