April 19, 2024
One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I realize that is actually three movies, but I consider it one story. Besides, this also allows me to squeeze eight movies into my personal top five list.
The story depicts the war of good versus evil and leads to a council gathering to develop a plan. After much debate, a fellowship is formed to rally behind the willingness of the small Frodo Baggins, who is courageous enough to begin a quest that others seem too fearful to embark upon. This fictional saga reminds me of the council portrayed in Acts 15.
In Acts 15, we read of a heated debate over how the church must reconcile growing tension between ancient Jewish tradition and the need for healthy fellowship with new Gentile believers, who bring a different cultural background to the group. Following the leadership of Peter and James, consensus is gathered, and Paul is commissioned to deliver a letter to the Gentile church hub of Antioch.
He is not sent alone; a fellowship of four is called and commissioned to carry the unifying message of King Jesus to the Gentile community. This letter will share what is commonly known as the “Apostolic Decree” and communicate essentials of Christian living that ultimately foster unity in the church.
God loves to see His people on the same page. In fact, Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Not only does unity within the church foster a spirit of peace, it further expresses an attractiveness to those outside the church who desire to experience love and peace.
We honor King Jesus when we listen to one another and show kindness and sensitivity to the needs of others. This awareness of God’s unique plan for each believer positions us to learn from each other’s past as we walk together into His prepared future.
How can you begin today to spend time with fellow believers and better learn their personal stories? Listening to their journeys will help you better understand their personal convictions and will also foster a spirit of unity within the church at large. Together, we can commit to fellowship that advances the mission of God and honors King Jesus.
