When Unity Multiplies

The Kingdom of God is destined to expand, ...of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end..., this is expansion. God has chosen to use imperfect humanity to expand His perfect kingdom. Individuals who are willing to fearlessly pursue the the work of the kingdom, will see great things accomplished. A question I would pose is, if one can see great things accomplished, what can a group that is unified do?

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." ~ Helen Keller

If we truly desire to see unprecedented things happen in the Kingdom, we must pursue unprecedented unity. Consider this: one can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight. When two unite in the work of the Kingdom, their effectiveness doesn’t just double, it multiplies. The impact of two is ten times greater than the power of one alone. Not because the second person brings that much more strength, but because God blesses unity. Now imagine what could happen with three or four people who share the same vision. There is no limit to what God would do!

However, today we don't see the level of unity in the Apostolic movement that we should. Elitism has slithered its way into our ranks. Cliques, "exclusive" groups, and tribes, only cause more division not more production. The us four and no more mindset benefits no one. An inner circle mentality will always limit what God can do. Divisive attitudes are not of God. The only loyalty circle their should be is that of loyalty to God. Paul emphatically lays this out to the church in Corinth.

"But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:20-25

Just because the operation of one differs from the operation of another, does not mean that there need be exclusion. By excluding that one, multiplied effectiveness has been aborted. Boundaries should not be determined based on preference, they should be determined upon doctrine. Preferences too often divide us. We don't go there because we don't like their pews. We don't go to their meeting because we don't like their sanctuary color. We don't fellowship because we don't like their music. In our division over preference, we are stating, we would prefer to see less Kingdom work accomplished than to participate with another part of the Body. We are excluding those that God has included.

Petty preferences are hindering revival. In response to criticism of where he was preaching, I heard an elder say, "What happened to simply preaching Jesus?"

If a person is not correctly lined up with doctrine, consider having a conversation with them. We are in the soul saving business, and to neglect the duty of saving the soul of one who is not yet fully converted, maybe being swayed by the wind of doctrine, or sleight of men. Before you are quick to cut them off, remember the instruction of scripture.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." ~ Galatians 6:1

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth…" ~ 2 Timothy 2:24–26

"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." ~ Titus 3:10–11

"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." ~ James 5:19-20

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This work is also generational. No matter how far you look, the Kingdom's progression has laid in the hands of the next generation. We see this plan established beginning with Adam. Somewhere, he taught his sons how to make a sacrifice. He was passing to the next generation the current plan for the Kingdom of God. “Sons, this how the Kingdom of God works.”

In the generations that span from Abraham to Joseph, there were a lot of great things that were established. Abraham received the promise that his seed would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. Isaac was taught by his father about the power of God. He would bring Jacob into the world. In a heavenly wrestling match, Jacob’s name would be changed to Israel. Israel would sire Joseph who, through tests and trials, would be able to facilitate his father and his brothers to live in Goshen. Here is where one of the promises to Abraham would begin to be fulfilled. His seed would begin to multiply.

One of the most used biblical portrayals of this is found in Exodus 17. The children of Israel are free from Egyptian bondage and have made their way to Rephidim. There Amalek comes to fight against them. Moses turns to the young man by his side, "Joshua, go and gather some men to go and fight. Tomorrow I'm going to go up to the top of the hill and hold up the rod of God." This is symbolic of what the writer of Proverbs said, "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head."

We understand that as long as Moses held up his hands, Joshua and and his army prevailed, but when his hands were weary, Amalek prevailed. This is mostly likely one of the most preached stories in Scripture. Aaron and Hur brought a stone for Moses to rest on, and they held up his hands until the setting of the sun. There was victory over Amalek because generations worked together.

Each generation needs the previous and the following generation to see the fulfillment of promises and dreams. "Young men shall see visions...Old men shall dream dreams." Young men, let's not disregard the advice and council of the Elders, we know where that got Rehoboam. Elders, please don't despise the energy and the strength of the younger generation. Direct it, give us duties, place us on assignment for the Kingdom of God. Let's work together young with the old to get the work of the Kingdom done.

There is absolutely no limit to what can happen if we determine that we will work together. Jesus is coming but while we wait we must work and work effectively. In order to be the most effective we must be unified. We need one another!