“Fundamental Attribution Error.” The Fundamental Attribution Error is when we attribute another person’s actions to their character or personality, but we attribute our own behavior to external circumstances outside of our control.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
—James 3:16 (KJV)
The word “ENVY” comes from a Greek word “zelos,” that means a fierce desire to promote one’s own ideas and convictions to the exclusion of everyone else.
“STRIFE” is taken from a Greek word (eritheia) that was used by the ancient Greeks to stand for a POLITICAL PARTY.
Rick Renner translates this verse like this:
“For where there is a fierce desire to promote one’s own ideas and convictions to the exclusion of everyone else’s, it produces divisions so great that people end up taking sides and forming differing parties with conflicting agendas. This is a terrible event, because it creates great unrest among people who should be united. Ultimately, the whole situation becomes a stinking mess!”
—Rick Renner
Disunity Doesn’t Mitigate Uncertainty, it Multiplies Uncertainty
Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
—John 17:11b (NLT)
“I am praying not only for these disciples but ALSO for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that THEY WILL BE ONE, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.
—John 17:20-21a (NLT)
And may they be in us SO THAT THE WORLD WILL BELIEVE you sent me.
—John 17:21b (NLT)
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”
—Acts 4:32 (NLT)
There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”
—Acts 4:34-35 (NLT)
“has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers and through their care of the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar and that the [Christians] care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help we should render them.”
—Emperor Julian
Humility is the Cure for Disunity
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too”
—Philippians 2:2-4 (NLT)
Application:
Pray
“Heavenly Father, make us one so that we can point others to you.”
Listen, Learn, and Love
Key Thought: Disagree politically, love unconditionally, and pray for unity.
United We Stand
October 11, 2020
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