Romans 15

Verses 5-6, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Paul prays for unity among the followers of Jesus. He would not pray for this if it wasn't needed. If everything was going perfect and there were no dissenters and there was no conflict, then Paul would not have even brought this up. The reality is the same for today. People may expect and hope that everyone in the church will be perfect and there won't be any conflict, but there is. No one is perfect except Jesus. There is conflict because we are broken sinners in need of redemption.

Paul reminds us that it is God who gives endurance and encouragement. It is God who gives us a spirit of unity. So God equips us to be in unity, but it is still our choice. God gives us endurance through those times when there is conflict. God encourages us with His love and grace every step of our lives.

Here's where all of this leads...God wants unity for us as His children so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify Him. Unity leads to worship. The great commandment begins with love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength. That's worship. The most important thing we can do is worship our heavenly Father. And He wants us to do it together.