Living a Conquered Life: The Power of Unity in Christ

In our journey through life, we often encounter challenges that test our faith and our ability to live as conquerors in Christ. One of the most significant obstacles we face is division - both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. But what does it truly mean to live a conquered life, and how can we maintain the unity of the Spirit in a world that seems increasingly fragmented?

The concept of unity in Christ is beautifully illustrated in Ephesians 2:13-15: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace."

This passage reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice, we have been united as one body, regardless of our backgrounds, preferences, or past experiences. However, it's crucial to understand that while we may have unity in Christ positionally, we don't always experience it in our daily lives.

Consider the analogy of a married couple. They may be legally and spiritually united, but if they don't nurture their relationship, they might find themselves living separate lives under the same roof. Similarly, as believers, we must actively work to maintain the unity we've been given in Christ.

The Apostle Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:1-3 to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Notice that Paul doesn't prescribe a set of rules to follow. Instead, he emphasizes character traits: humility, gentleness, and patience. This is because the unity we share in Christ isn't superficial - it's not about conforming to external standards. Rather, it's a unity of the Spirit that goes to the very core of who we are.

To truly experience this unity, we must confront the division in our own hearts. Just as the Israelites had to fight battles to possess the Promised Land, we too must engage in spiritual warfare to claim the fullness of our inheritance in Christ.

In Deuteronomy 2:24-25, God tells the Israelites, "Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you."

This passage illustrates an important truth: while we have been saved by grace and promised an inheritance, we still must fight battles. What battles in your heart are you being called to fight on your journey to God's Kingdom?

As we progress in our spiritual journey, God expects total commitment from us. Just as the Israelites were commanded to drive out their enemies completely, we are called to devote our old way of life to destruction. This is no easy task - it requires perseverance and dedication.

However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of partial obedience. In the book of Judges, we see the consequences of the Israelites' failure to fully drive out their enemies. "But Manasseh did not drive out the people... Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites..." (Judges 1:27-29). This partial obedience led to ongoing struggles and ultimately, spiritual decline.

The most valuable piece of real estate in this world is your heart. Christ paid the ultimate price to reclaim it, and He expects us to follow through with our commitment to drive out division and bring every aspect of our lives under His Lordship.

So how do we conquer division and walk in unity? Here are some practical steps:

1. Recognize your dependence on God and others. True humility acknowledges that we can't do it alone.

2. Practice gentleness by finding the balance between extremes. Be the "meaty middle" of the bell curve in your interactions with others.

3. Cultivate patience, understanding that growth and change take time.

4. Identify areas in your life that are not fully surrendered to Christ and commit to bringing them under His authority.

5. Engage in regular self-examination and repentance, rooting out divisive attitudes and behaviors.

6. Actively work to build unity with other believers, recognizing that we are stronger together.

Remember, unity is not the ultimate goal - it's a means to an end. As Ephesians 4:12-13 states, we maintain unity "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Unity helps us mature in Christ and enables the church to accomplish the work God has prepared for us. Like Belgian horses working in tandem, when we learn to pull together in unity, we can accomplish far more than we ever could alone.

As you go through this week, challenge yourself to conquer division in your heart by walking in unity. Bring everything in your life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Fight the battles you've been called to fight, and be totally committed to Him. As you do, you'll begin to experience the profound unity that Christ died to achieve.

Living a conquered life isn't about perfection - it's about progress. It's about getting up each day, recognizing the unity we have in Christ, and working to bring that unity to fruition in our hearts and relationships. As we do this, we'll find ourselves growing stronger, more mature, and better equipped to fulfill God's purposes for our lives.

May we all strive to live as conquerors, united in Christ, and may our unity be a powerful testimony to the world of the transforming power of the Gospel.