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A few Sundays ago, our church viewed a YouTube video as a countdown to our service starting. It is a video by Dottie Peoples, “Testify”. She is a magnificent worship leader with a beautiful voice and breath-taking beauty. The most captivating part of the film was to watch how all the brothers and sisters were in one accord. They were singing together, clapping together, swaying together, walking together… I am sure God had to be smiling as he watched his children be “together”.

The Word says, “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude.” (I Peter 3:8)

Repeatedly, we are referred to as the “Bride of Christ.” When I think of a bride: her face is lit up, she is bursting with love from within that is expressed throughout her demeanor, she is expressing God’s great gloriousness as she anticipates she will be wed soon. If we think of each as a bride to Christ, how would we respond?

There are times when things go on within the body. Where faces are made, sighs are released, comments are made of a brother/sister – I have been blameworthy. I know all too well how the flesh responds. The question to ask when you get all offended or think you know what you do not know: Do you just want the other person to be more like you or more like Jesus?

This verse is telling us to be at peace and in one accord with each other – to truly love each other within the body of Christ. If someone is down, then help them up or come alongside them instead of pushing them down. Be concerned about what they are concerned about – help them!

“What we are is more important than what we say. Our life is our best sermon. If we would expend as much care on the hidden man of the heart as many do on the outer, what lovely characters would result!” (F.B. Meyer).

I dare say if we ask the hard questions our lives would reflect more of Jesus and less of this old flesh. It is so easy to get lost in our own opinions, mindsets, habits and hard for us to make room for someone who is different. However, we should all be on the same page where Jesus is concerned. We are all the “Bride of Christ”. This week may we seek the Lord to glorify him, in just that way!

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@ gmail.com.