Command 25 : Take My Yoke | Day 174

Develop Unity by Being Yoked!

As believers we are all members of the same Body “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (I Corinthians 12:12). Paul reminds believers that because we are yoked together with Christ, we must learn how to “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Putting on Christ's yoke means our love should be evidenced by our words and actions. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another, because “by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Conflicts with fellow believers may reveal that we are out of step with Christ and are acting on the carnal impulses of our own wills.

The purpose of yoking oxen together is not to restrict their freedom, but rather to increase the potential of what they can accomplish. When two oxen are yoked together, they can pull with greater strength than either one could pull individually. The same principle is true for spiritual labors. Scripture states, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow … . And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

In the church of Philippi, believers were not getting along with each other. Not only were their conflicts damaging their fellowship with one another, but their conflicts were also hindering the spread of the Gospel. Therefore, Paul reminded them that they were yoked to Christ: “I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellows, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel” (Philippians 4:3).

Lack of harmony between believers encourages the world to reject the truth that Christ came to save them. (See John 17:21.)

The tendency among believers today is to be bound together by some minor doctrinal distinction rather than the bonds of Christ's love and truth. Fellowship among ourselves then becomes a primary goal rather than being a natural by-product of teamwork in the Gospel. The result is that we miss the wonderful potential of walking with Jesus and the lasting fruit that comes from His work in our lives.

We are told to live “with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). This tremendous love and unity was demonstrated in the first century, as multitudes of believers were added to the Church daily. They were united in their love for the Lord and their desire to grow spiritually. They made sure that no one lacked daily provision as they sold their possessions and had all things in common. Rich fellowship and oneness of spirit were the results of this unity. (See Acts 2:41-47.) Let's evaluate how we treat our fellow believers and purpose to show Christ's love to one another.