by Jim Gordon
Colossians 3:14 — And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
With all the different thoughts, ideas, interpretations, denominations and versions of the Bible, how is it possible for us to get along and have unity among the brethren?
It is by love. To put on love is to put on God. God is love and love lives within us. Even in all the differences we can be united in the love of God. Our common focus is Jesus. We can be one in Christ and still have different views and opinions. Because of the love of Christ, we can respect one another’s views and opinions and accept them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Love will bind us together and allow us to live in peace with one another. Many times, love is pushed out of the way for our own selfish desires. That is when disrespect, arguing, judging and condemning takes over, and it is not a pretty sight for those who profess to follow God, who is love.
Unity comes only in Christ. It is not through religion, doctrines, denominations or bible versions but through Christ alone. Unity through Christ looks beyond religion, doctrines, denominations, race, sexual orientation and nationality.
God is love and he lives within us. By allowing his love to flow out of us we can look beyond our differences and accept one another even when we disagree.
Only by loving God and loving one another through the power of the Spirit will others see a difference in those of us who are followers of Christ.
Done with Religion 
Good points Jem, thanks for the comment.
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The key is in your concluding line – through the power of the Spirit – I believe. We often fail to love when we not walking in the Spirit and by the Spirit. When we lose sight of the Spirit is when we fall out of love and into religion and the works of the flesh. Speaking for myself, that is so easy to do – to fall into that religious ditch of hatred, criticism, judgement. Though it is so easy to get out of the ditch too, because all we have to do is cry out to Jesus and He lifts us up to love again.
Thanks, Jim, for stirring us up in the Spirit.
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Hey Dan, such deep truth. Good hearing from you.
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So very true.To be united in Him is what keeps us from being separated.
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