Monday, September 19 – John 10:16

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd.

Have you ever had a rift with a sibling or family member, a difference that was difficult to get past? These arguments always affect our unity, whether briefly or long term. They hurt, and we don’t often feel as close to the person as we once did, but that does not change the fact that we’re family. This familial bond often keeps us fighting for the relationship more than we might with a friend, especially someone we just met. In Christ, all followers of Jesus are united as family. When we look around at people in our small group and members of our church, we may not instinctively feel this familial bond. But in Jesus, we are one flock. This does not mean we will always get along or have all surface-level things in common, but it does mean we have the most important thing in common—Christ.

As we spend time in the family of Christ, we will inevitably face conflict. We will disagree, we will fight, and we will be hurt but just like a biological family, these arguments and differences do not break us from our deeper bond together. The unity we have as the family of God is profound. This passage also gives us insight on how to fight for unity: we look to our shepherd. In Him, we see not only our common bond but also how to live at peace with others. As we pursue Him, He will guide us to have peace with one another in the family of God.

• How have you dealt with conflict with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
• How is unity possible despite differences?
• Pray and ask God to help you take steps toward unity with fellow believers you may not know or with whom you may currently be in conflict.