OFFLINE

The problem of oneness frequently involves fleshly striving to create it. Oneness is not something we should directly strive for, watch over, and measure, and thereby become tense about. It is a result, a by-product of life in Christ. The antidote to fractures is therefore not to strive to return to oneness - which would result mainly in judging and measuring and so falling further apart - but turning back to worship, to serve the Lord, unmindful of self. Oneness returns as He returns.

A group of us formed a cell group. We wanted to enter into oneness, sharing problems and joys, praying for one another daily. We entered into covenants, only to be filled, like any couple after the honeymoon, with dissensions and battles. Then the Lord revealed that our lack of oneness was due to fleshly striving. Along the way, He pointed out that every attempt of men to get together He Himself has frustrated. He reminded us that the Tower of Babel was an attempt in unity that He Himself prevented, after which He confused the tongues of men and scattered them (Gen 11:1-9). He revealed to us that it was He Himself, not satanic power, who had so moved men as to cripple the League of Nations, the United Nations, and so on. Whenever in history men have attempted unity by the flesh, He HImself has broken them apart and scattered them.

(Extracted from Letting Go of Your Past by John and Paula Sandford. p.105)