WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS EVERYWHERE

Edwine Omaya and Rayola Osanya-Nyynéque

1 Peter 5:8,9
This is the theme passage for this camp. Your brothers and sisters throughout the world are sharing in the same sufferings. Whoever we are and wherever we are, we are called to go through the same things, believe the same things, advance the same cause. We are called to be one.

Looking at several exemplary relationships in the Old Testament, let us see the kind of relationships that we should have on campus as we define family and master unity.

L - LOYALTY

Amos 3:3
In the kingdom we have one another with whom to share our lives.

1 Samuel 19:1-5
Jonathan's loyalty towards David was so great that he was more devoted to David, with whom he head no family ties, than he was to his father, whom he realized was making many ungodly decisions.

Similarly, we can love each other even though we are not from the same biological family, with a true, genuine, deep love and loyalty.

Colossians 3:14
You cannot be united with someone whom you do not love, so we see that the bond of love that existed between Jonathan and David is what led to the unity that they enjoyed.

Things that show loyalty and bring us closer together:
-Pray for each other
-Be there for each other during tough times, e.g. bereavement, illness, financial hardship.

Q. How committed have you been to having great, close relationships in the church?

I - INITIATIVE

2 Kings 2:6-9
Elisha is basically saying to Elijah, "I want to be with you and I want to be like you." He is not waiting for Elijah to show interest but instead initiates.

The spirit of love and unity is not one of demanding, "What have you done for me lately?" but is one of inquiring, "What can I do for you today?" So, don't sit back waiting, get up and do some initiating.

Initiate with visitors, young Christians, Christian at distant campuses, etc.
Initiate to correct, complement, encourage, forgive and reconcile.
Initiate to set up dates - well organized, planned-in-advance, fun, pure, group dates.

Initiate discipling, and in the discipling, initiate to ask questions and seek advice.

O - ONENESS

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrack, Mehack and Abednego spoke with once voice and stood as one man, and this gave them the boldness and courage to face the stiffest of challenges.

Acts 5:13,14
The unity of the disciples was so incredibly tight that people feared them - and others also joined them.

The meetings we have are aimed at helping us to be closer to each other as we get closer to God, so let us appreciate the various meetings we need to without seeing them as a burden, e.g. Sunday service, midweek service, campus devo, the campus retreats, etc.

N - NEWNESS

Exodus 4:13-16, 5:1
On his own, Moses was a prisoner to fear, in the company of his brothers he was a paradigm of faith. He went from tending his sheep to liberating a nation. He went from being cold to being bold.

The inspiration that true friendship and unity bring will always renew us. As with Moses, it will refresh and revive our commitment, courage and conviction.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Surround yourself with saints. You are stronger with the help of friends than you are alone. If you feel weak or have in any way fallen or backslid of late, the solution is to get close to saints - they'll help you up.

Combining the first letters of each point here, we have L-I-O-N, "lion." It is true that the lion never sleeps, but if we keep our unity then he will keep his distance.

More than that there is another lion, who does not sleep either, and is greater tha the evil, prowling one - Revelation 5:5. Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, holds victory, so let us walk together, united with each other and led by Christ the King.

Poem:

All for one and one for all,
It's when we stand together that we stand tall.

The battle is fought and the victory is won
When we take on the lion and stand as one.

Standing in perfect unity
Of love and light and loyalty.

Let's serve and save and share and give,
And, each one, take the initiative.

When we walk together and work as one
Our righteousness shines like the noonday sun.

Close friends and true family in all that we do,
The bond of brotherhood will make us all new.

The lion never sleeps - never!
But we'll win the battle when we stand together.

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