1 Corinthians 12:15&25 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
A team has players who play offense or defense. An offensive player tries to score and maintain control over the ball. On the other hand a defensive player stops the other team from scoring. The coordination and close knit unity among the players is crucial for winning the game. Jake Heimlicher, a defensive player of UCLA said, “It’s not one side or the other, we can’t be divisive, it takes a whole unit to win.”
Unity plays a crucial part in the victory of a team. Similarly, a family that is united thrives, a church that is unified grows, a community that is close-knit flourishes and a country that is integrated is protected. Disunity is a self destructive suicide bomb. As halftime breaks build unity and winning strategies; honesty and humility binds a team/family/community together.
The two main causes of disunity are pride and jealousy. “I’m better than you” attitude will stop a person from appreciating the other person’s achievements. Pride fumes insecurity, envy and animosity. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? (2 Corinthians 3:3). Rejoicing at the success of others is a mark of maturity. Treating others with respect is a mark of character. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). Humility in the heart reveals itself in the way we treat each other.
The gospel can be preached without saying a word – “If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:35).
Jesus was the perfect epitome of humility:
1. Culture: A person’s cultural background and values could affect their behaviour but we have only one culture – Jesus culture. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant (Matthew 20:26). Jesus came as a “Servant King” to inculcate the ‘Jesus Culture’ that esteems others more than ourselves. The foundation of Jesus Culture is humility.
2. Character: Godly character shines in the darkness and stands out in a crowd. The world will watch the way we manage our elevations and dejections. The way we suffer pain preaches better sermons that those preached from the pulpits.
3. Celebrate: Christmas trees, lights, gifts and the fiesta will all be in vain if there is disunity among us. True celebration is enjoying the strengths and supporting the weaknesses of each other.
The birth of Jesus has taught us humility and unity.
I Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Prayer: Jesus my Redeemer, I will put on the clothing of humility. Help me to be a conduit of unity and oneness to my family and my community. Amen.
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