In the Bible, we find the phrase "being knit together," which beautifully captures the idea of binding people together in love. The Apostle Paul expressed this heartfelt desire for the Colossian church, hoping that their hearts might be "knit together in love" (Colossians 2:2). His concerns for their unity and connection remind us of the importance of fostering strong, loving relationships within our own community. According to Merriam-Webster, "to knit" means "to link firmly together, to grow together or to become drawn together." It is a vivid illustration of how the Father desires His children to be tightly woven together in love. This love, known as "agape," is a self-sacrificing love that transcends personal interests. The ultimate demonstration of agape love was seen at the Cross, where Christ selflessly laid down His life for others, reflecting the profound depth of His commitment to humanity. As we navigate our lives together as a community, we must commit to embodying this agape love—knitting our hearts and growing together in unity.
There is a profound fear and hesitation that can hold us back when we consider binding ourselves together with fellow believers. We often fear vulnerability, worried that opening our hearts to others may lead to hurt and disappointment. It’s not uncommon for our expectations of love to be met with disillusionment, as it can feel like others don’t invest in our relationships to the same extent that we do. This can breed fear and estrangement within our community, allowing the enemy to sow seeds of division among us. However, we must remember that perfect or complete love—God's love—casts out all fear. God has called us to a loving unity that cannot be ignored. He desires for His children to come together, to challenge one another, and to grow in love and faith. As we lean into this call, may we find the courage to trust one another, embracing the vulnerability that comes with authentic relationships.
It seems that many individuals are increasingly avoiding participation in local churches, leading to a culture that leans toward avoidance and isolation. In our fast-paced world, it has become all too easy to engage with others from a distance, sacrificing the deep connections that Jesus intended for His body. Our social dynamics appear to be unraveling, not only due to our dysfunctional social skills but also because of our struggle to form genuine bonds. The very fabric that Jesus seeks to knit together is being compromised. It seems that our attempts at unity often falter as they are founded on fleshly issues, which are inherently fragile. Instead of coming together in Christ, our expectations of unity are frequently influenced by our individual personalities, creating divisions rather than fostering a cohesive community. Moreover, our society's fixation on personal psychology causes us to perceive one another through the narrow lens of our individual needs. As a result, we inadvertently overlook the unifying power of our shared faith. It is essential that we recognize the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Christ above our personal preferences and biases. I believe that it is time for us to reevaluate our approach to community and unity within the Church. By shifting our focus from self to Christ, we can begin to mend the divisions and foster a supportive environment where genuine connections can flourish.
We must remember that our faith is not about self-centered preferences, but rather about Christ. In Kingdom relationships His love that binds us together. Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:19, there are those in the body of Christ who have "lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow"(NIV). It is essential that we reconnect with Christ and prioritize our unity, rather than allowing our differences to divide us. Agape love is the key to our unity, allowing us to be knit together despite our diversity. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul beautifully defines sacrificial love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
Here are seven essential seams that must be knit into the fabric of our Churches to foster an atmosphere of love and unity among us. I truly believe that by coming together on these vital issues, we can look beyond our individual quirks and idiosyncrasies, creating a strong bond as one body.
We must be knit together…
1) ...in our love for the Savior who saved each one of us.
2) ...as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, united by like precious faith.
3) ...understanding that we are all battling sin and an enemy of our soul so we need each other to achieve victory.
4) ...by esteeming others more highly than ourselves.
5) ...by avoiding gossip and accusations against each other.
6) ...by settling disputes according to Matthew 18:15-17.
7) ...by praying one for another.
May we strive to support one another, encourage each other, and stand strong against any challenges that threaten to unravel our bonds. Let us overcome our fears, knowing that through unity, we can reflect the love of Christ to the world around us by having our hearts "knit together in love.
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