God unites people…
…through a commom purpose.
This weekend is Valentine’s Day in Brazil. So I would like to talk about relationships. Not specifically about love relationships, but about whatever connection we can have with others.
There is a well-known phrase in Portuguese that says “God does not unite people, unites purposes”. But does it make biblical sense? Let’s reflect together.
About Purpose
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. – Ephesians 1:9-10
In the dictionary, purpose means intention. When two people’s intentions, pursuits, and desires are aligned, it’s the moment when bonding becomes natural. God has bring unity to all things in Christ. And He unites our hearts around His good pleasure, goals and will. In this way, by adding our strengths, we can express His Kingdom together.
For a body to be a body, each member needs to be aligned and focused on being functional. Two legs only get us somewhere when both are aligned with the same goal, which is to move in the same direction. When one of them strays from that path or encounters an obstacle, we stumble and fall. And that is life in unity with others. That’s why God unites us around His purpose, so that our paths have the same point of arrival.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. – Ephesians 4:16
It is worth mentioning that having common goals such as seeking the increase of the Body, the expansion of the Kingdom, sanctification, among others, does not mean that we are equal. It is through the uniqueness and special gifts of each one that together we can live the good and perfect will of the Father.
United by the Holy Spirit
As we saw above, it is true that God brings us together through a common purpose, but that does not mean that He does not unite us as persons as well.
Ephesians chapter 4 also exhorts us to make every effort we can to keep the unity that the Holy Spirit gives us. As verses 4, 5 and 6 say: For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
And the same Holy Spirit that unites us as persons, produces in us Love, goodness, faith and enables us to live in practice the unity of the Body of Christ.
Able to prioritize and love
Still on the analogy of the steps we take: to move it is necessary for one leg to push while the other is supported. And that changes as we go. Understand your moment to support someone and push that person, respect the moment that someone else is here to support and push you, but always prioritize giving over receiving.
The union and one purpose are accompanied by love and priority. God calls us to prioritize the people around us, to love above all through the mercy He has and gives us.
We receive an unconditional love that forgives, supports, surrenders and honors. He did not give us all this in abundance for us to retain only within our own being, but to share with others.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” – Romans 12:10
Who makes us able to love in this way is the Holy Spirit.
To complete…
Remember to live for the Eternal purposes of the Father. Allow the action of the Holy Spirit to be real in your life and in your relationships, for it is He who makes life in unity possible. It is also He who fills us with love and kindness so that we can live in unity, prioritizing and honoring each other.
by
Rapha Abreu
Rapha Abreu é Jornalista e Produtora cultural, e faz parte da equipe de marketing, redação e produção de conteúdo da Mr. Rocco.
