Most of us Christians do not submit the details of our life to God on a consistent basis. Yet these details make up most of our existence.

Whenever we approach a decision, like what we are going to eat for breakfast (if we have any food) we ordinarily do not address God over this issue. Herein lies our problem. Christ is left out of the decision. That marvelous opportunity to practice the Presence of Christ is gone forever while we plow ahead, perhaps grumbling because there is no marmalade left. Isn't it so?

To grow in the unity of the faith and knowledge of Christ is to bring every decision of the day, great and small, to the Lord Jesus in order to gain His wisdom and His strength. Little by little we find He is more real to us. Why is this? Because we are looking to Him constantly.

But what does all of this have to do with unity, and what does it have to do with dying and living, as we mentioned earlier?

First of all, to hold every decision to Christ for His strength and wisdom is to die to our own desires. If you don't think so, just try it. We charge along, our momentum, our desires, hope, fears, ambitions, lusts, worries carrying us through. To present every decision to Christ means the passionate flames of our nature are cooled off.

You want to get married so badly. Are you willing to submit the decision to Jesus or are you praying that He will help you get what you want?

I am not speaking of passivity where we accept passively whatever takes place. We ought always to present our desires before the Lord.

I am referring rather to spiritual poise where we are ready to accept Christ's answer to our fervent prayers and desires.

You want a certain job, to go to a certain place, to do certain things. You want them so badly you can hardly stand it. You know what? You are not poised spiritually. Furthermore you probably have a few idols you are worshiping.

Slow down. Give everything to Christ. You will save yourself oceans of pain if you do.

Do you see what I mean by dying and living? You die to your drives and passions and come alive in the Presence of Christ?

But what does all this have to do with unity?

Everything!

The reason two people do not get along is that one or the other or both are not submitting their decisions to Christ.

When two people are walking in the Presence and knowledge of the Son of God there always is perfect unity. How could it be otherwise? If they are both hearing from the Lord how could they be in disagreement? Will God tell one person one thing and the other person something contradictory? Never!

One or the other or both are not hearing from the Lord in the matter at hand.

Why do we have wars, cults, divisions, party loyalties? Because of the lusts that rage and roar in our bodies and souls.

When two people are living in the Presence of Jesus Christ, submitting every decision to Him, there is unity—heavenly unity.

To be continued.