FAST-Day 3

Day 3 – Unity
Read Psalm 133; Ephesians 2:14-18; Romans 15:5

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved Me.” John 17:23


There is incredible power in unity (Genesis 11:6). It results in rapid progress if diligent work is added to it (Ezra 5:8). Such has been the case for Vapor over the last few years. As any organization grows, the opportunity for miscommunication, misunderstanding and disunity presents itself. This applies to businesses as well as Christian endeavors. It is vital that we as believers pray for the unity, good communication and understanding regarding those with whom we relate. We cannot relax in our determination when things are going smoothly but must be diligent. When issues do come up, we need the grace to bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances we have against each other (Colossians 3:12). We must love one another deeply from the heart (I Peter 1:22). Love binds us all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:14).

Sometimes we can get stuck in a trap of unforgiveness, bitterness or anger with family members or coworkers, especially when we encounter someone who repeatedly offends us and there is little or no time to repair between blows. But God’s grace and peace do not run short in those situations that invite us to be molded more into our Savior’s likeness. If you are struggling in your relationship with someone Christian or non-Christian, the following information may be help for you.

Let us pray for righteous judgment, the ability to recognize things for what they are good or bad. When selecting deacons or elders, one must be able to make accurate assessment as to whether or not that person possesses the qualities God has prescribed to hold that position. When selecting a mate or even a close friend, we must be able to make righteous judgments as to whether or not they are someone with which you would be “equally yoked”.

Unrighteous judgment is very different. In unrighteous judgment, we go past seeing the wrong in others. We harden our heart toward that person and get in agreement with the Accuser (the devil) saying, “That is the way they are and that is how they will always be.” Our attitudes can actually hinder them from responding to the Lord’s work in their lives especially when we write them off or excluding them. We must recognize the unrighteous judgment for what it is and repent of it and release that person to become all God has planned for them to be. We may have to do that daily to really get our mind in the habit of seeing them differently. If we continue in unrighteous judgment, we give the enemy permission by our disobedience to bring that same judgment back on us through someone else. This is a part of the principle of reaping what you sow.

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Acknowledge the situation for what it is and release it all to God, taking it to the cross and allowing Him to be God in the situation. We must recognize that any area in our lives where we decide how we are going to handle it, we are making ourselves lord and any area we are lord over, Jesus is not.

2. Acknowledge your hurt and be able to be transparent that the situation or wrongful act wounded you.

3. Choose to release the person to God. You are not condoning what they did or minimizing it. Sample prayer: Even though what _______ did hurt me, I release them to the freedom of my forgiveness. Even if I don’t think they deserve it, I cancel their debt of the wrong done to me just as God in Christ forgave me. Holding on to offense allows the enemy to chain you to the past and it can control you and restrict your freedom in Christ even after that person has gone to their grave.

4. Choose to release the hurt, anger, resentment. Doctors have noted that these emotions can manifest in the body in the form of sickness (i.e. ulcers, arthritis etc.) This may be like a process similar to peeling an onion where there are layers that God wants to deal with so you can heal. Give Him permission to go into those deeper levels to bring you into complete healing physically and emotionally. Sometimes the hurt inside may be so heavy and so great, you just cannot lift it. At those times, we just need to ask God to come and take it away. Healing may happen instantly (a miracle) or it may be gradual (a process).

5. Pray for the person who hurt you. Our prayers release grace to that person. It opens the windows of heaven over them to release them to repent of their sin and see it for what it is. Jesus said, “Pray for those who misuse you.” As we pray for the ones who have hurt us, it drains the poison out of our heart.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you are our Peace and you have made us one in You. Thank you that when we ask anything in Your name and according to Your will, you grant us our request. We pray with confidence that you would bring unity, understanding, and good communications into our relationships and those that are involved with Vapor. We humbly ask that you grant us these things. Grant us tender hearts that forgive each other readily and that love one another deeply. As Vapor adds more laborers, grant them the wisdom and clarity to walk in the good works You prepared for them to do. Grant each diligence in the task you have called him or her to do. Father, take control of our thoughts, emotions, and the direction of our will. Grant us the mind and heart of Christ. Give us Your perspective on the people and situations we encounter as well as the grace to respond with Your heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.