Unity In the Church

“I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭NLT

There have always been those in the church who are in-subordinates. Diotrephes was usurping authority and was trying to control the matters of the church. His actions were so severe that he maligned the apostle John and refused to support the designated traveling teachers who were sent to instruct the church. He, apparently, wanted the place of authority for himself and disdained anyone who threatened that position. He was a troublemaker. His spirit was one of rebellion. He despised anyone who supported the traveling teachers to the point of casting them out of the church. When someone assumes a role of authority that God has not granted them it results in confusion, division, and disruption. God is not the author of confusion. His design and desire is for the health and well being of the church. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Insubordination should be dealt with promptly and appropriately. God wants His church to be holy and healthy. Anything healthy will operate fluently and grow. Suppose a child has an illness that threatens their life, would we be amiss to leave it undiagnosed and untreated? Absolutely! The same is true in the church. We cannot allow Satan to afflict the church with illness that will destroy the life of the church. We must maintain the unity of the church with guarded attention. The enemy knows that the only way to disturb the momentum of the gospel is to create havoc in the church. Disturbance in the church is like hatred and uncertainty in the home. No one wants to go home to a turbulent environment. Home is a place of belonging, nourishment, affection, instruction, correction, and direction. There we find rest, renewal, and the resuscitation to face another day. Church is God's family. If we mess with God's family, guess who we have to deal with?? I hope we know the answer to that.“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NLT ‬‬This scripture is similar to I Corinthians 6:19 where we are told that our individual bodies are the temple of God. However, there is a distinction in this passage. Here, in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, the Holy Spirit refers to the collective body of believers as the temple. God will deal with those who try to destroy (undermine) the church.It is imperative that we deal with those who are like Diotrephes. We must maintain a godly spirit, as well as godly conduct, but we must put these kind of charlatans in their proper place and if they refuse to repent, remove them from the fellowship. Left unattended, one rotten apple can ruin the whole bushel. As believers in Jesus Christ, let us strive for unity and help bring about the success of the church body. God is pleased when we do. God's favor will fall upon those who endeavor to make His church what it should be! Are you striving to work for unity in the church? Let me leave you with this scripture:“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬