Community Oneness

The spirit of oneness must be a prerequisite if churches of America are going to be change makers in the present economic turmoil. Our spiritual house cannot be divided. The world is in crisis and looking for answers. The remainder of the year 2009 and beyond may be the most important chapter in the lives of church people of all denominations. The church must demonstrate to the public that it can make a difference by forming a common vision for our neighborhoods and communities.

In America's oppressive communities the need for intervention beyond police protection is great. High crime rates are growing year after year and murders, rapes, theft, and strong armed robberies are reported on consistent basics. In many neighborhoods, multiple crimes occur at the same time. To compound the crime problem, several state governors have decided, in order to save millions of dollars, to release thousands of small time criminals back on the streets. But such desperate decisions can only make the streets more dangerous. Many streets in the cities of Los Angeles and New Orleans are more perilous than those in Iraq. Nevertheless, the duty of the church is to confront danger and overcome it with godliness and love.

Because God has empowered the body of Christ to have dominion over the works of Satan, there is no excuse preventing the church from becoming deeply involved in rescuing oppressive communities. The saints of God are not only church people who worship God. God has equipped the saints to be deliverers and over comers. Therefore there is nothing for the saints to fear. The fear of gangs, violence, and theft should only be illusions of the mind to God's people. Furthermore, the saints don't have the same perspective about the economic crisis as does the world. The world is afraid of what tomorrow might bring; but the saints are joyful for the gifts of the future because the kingdom of heaven is within them. If the kingdom of heaven is here within them then all their necessities are already provided, despite how bleak things may appear. The world's trust is rooted in its possessions such as careers, money, and power. The saints' trust is rooted in God.

Through prayer and fasting and participation in our communities and neighborhoods the body of Christ can unleash supernatural miracles upon the streets. Apostle Paul and Saint Peter were supernatural workers. The prayed and festered and God performed wonderful works through them. They healed the sick, raised the dead, and comforted many people in the communities they visited. If it chooses to believe and commit itself the church today has that same mission. To follow through with such outreach service would bring a dramatic adjustment to many oppressive environments. First, the work of the church will bring peace and security to the community by blessing it with peace and harmony. God promises His people that they will live in "peaceable habitation, sure dwellings and quiet resting places" (Is 32:18). Demonic spirits cannot operate in an environment that has been imbued by the presence and power of God. They would definitely have to flee. People will have the freedom to go outside and perform their daily routines without fear of becoming a victim of crime. Because of peace and harmony in the neighborhood friendships and mutual understanding will be formed in a matter of days. Secondly, the church will have an opportunity to empower former gang members and drug addicts to be consistent learners and producers within society. Illiterate Americans in oppressive communities would be inspired to read and white simply because someone believes in them. The demonstration of love initiated among church members in the neighborhoods would create great social bonds. This would be like the kingdom of heaven on earth. Police officers and detectives could take a vacation.

In order for the church to accomplish the will of God in the communities, the concept of individualism must be terminated within the consciousness. Neighbors must turn their attention towards helping one another. The churches must combine with a common mission and commitment to the community. Every believer must release the selfishness within him or her if the love of Christ is to spread into oppressive areas of the city. All believers must love beyond their own families and friends. The whole community must be seen as one big family. The church must embrace everyone without respect of persons. Whether or not the church will embark upon this great mission depends upon the oneness created by the body of Christ. If the body remains divided, the more the world, communities, and the neighborhoods will deteriorate. But if the churches combine under a single great purpose of bringing freedom and deliverance to dangerous and oppressive neighborhoods the body of Christ can be glad and rejoice because of the great things that God will perform.