Congratulations to all of you who have completed Week 1 of the 21 Days of At.One.Ment Fast! You are a third of the way there!

Over the past few days, we took great care to address various forms of sin and offense that may have been standing between us and God.

In Week 2, we will take our time to examine areas in which we may still not be experiencing at.one.ment with one another.

We begin by stating a simple yet profound principle that will undergird what we do this week. It is stated repeatedly in the Bible, particularly in the epistles:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:14)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

The reason why it is in the epistles is obvious, isn’t it? The early church has been living in community for a while. And, where people rub elbows with one another, at least some are bound to rub others the wrong way.

When we read through the epistles, we become aware of the various differences of opinion, divided loyalties and outright divisions that existed even in this prepubescent period of the early church.

Both of these verses acknowledge the stark reality that it is not easy to live in peace with everyone in a community. That is why we are encouraged to “make every effort.” Because, it does take effort to live in harmony with one another.

In the Romans text, the apostle Paul says something very significant to our Fast this week. “As far as it depends on you.” In other words, he is encouraging us to simply do our part, the part that depends on us, and not get all caught up in what someone else is doing.

After all, we cannot change anyone else. We let God change others. But we do what we can to make the changes we need to make, as directed by Holy Spirit.

Jesus reinforces this while delivering the Sermon on the Mount with this command: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24)

Jesus wants us to make sure that we have at.one.ment with one another before we can come as one before God. Worship can wait while you work things out with your offended brother or sister. Resolving resentment takes priority over presenting the offering.

Please note that Jesus calls you and me to go on the offensive and take the first step, and not wait for the other party to come to us first.

That would meet the criterion of “making every effort to live in peace with everyone”, would it not?

Over the next few days, we will look at specific instances of offense that may be preventing us from experiencing at.one.ment with one another.

In the meantime though, would you resolve to do everything that “depends on you” and go on an all-out offensive to wipe out offense?

I hope so. I pray so.  Let it be so.