United Toward a "Good Work"

In Nehemiah 2:17, 18 we find that Nehemiah has garnered the support of the entire city of Jerusalem in his effort to repair the walls of the city. He says,

‘come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.  I told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the King had said to me. They replied, ‘let us start rebuilding”.

So, together they began this good work.

Nehemiah began his project with the people united toward the ‘good work’.  Nehemiah had the great advantage of a unified people focused on a specific work.  There is something about unity that brings forth the power and glory of God.  Unity is very important to the Lord.  We are united under one head, Jesus, and individually and corporately we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. (2 Cor. 3:18)

So, if unity is so important, why is it often difficult to achieve in organizations, especially in the church? Paul chastised the believers in Corinth for not receiving communion in unity (1 Cor. 11:17-26).  Solomon spoke of 7 things that are detestable to God, the seventh being ‘one who stirs up dissension among the brothers’.  (Prov. 6:19) Dissension and division are the opposite of unity and the Word of God reveals that it weakens the body. 

I believe that unity dissolves whenever we take our eyes off Jesus and fix them on circumstances and people.  God’s plan for Jerusalem was to repair the walls. Nehemiah communicated the plan as God’s plan and the people got on board. They completed the wall, in spite of opposition, in 52 days!  God has a plan and vision for every church and ministry. God has a plan to show forth His glory and likeness and make known His wisdom on earth.

People are united as they keep their eyes fixed on Jesus as the head and on His plan as the vision.  As soon as people fix their eyes on imperfections of people in the church, imperfections in leaders, imperfections in organization, etc. unity dissolves and agreement with God’s plan disintegrates. Dissension and division enter as devices of the enemy intent on undermining and subverting God’s design.

However, we have authority and dominion over dissension and division through Jesus Christ. We have the power to resist the enemy. We have a choice to choose glory. We have a choice to focus on the ‘good work’ that God prepared before the foundations of the earth for you, for me, for the church. Submit to God, resist the devil (James 4:7), and you WILL complete the ‘good work’ He prepared for you. Praise His Name!!