What makes an alliance positive? - Alliances - TouchPoints

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:13-14Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

A positive alliance involves mutual encouragement and support.

2 Kings 22:7“But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”

Acts 14:23Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Colossians 3:9-10Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

A positive alliance needs honesty and trust.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge . . . It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Ephesians 4:16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Revelation 7:9-10After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Positive alliances rely both on our differences and our similarities. Different experiences, skills, and personalities equip a group to accomplish things they never could have accomplished individually. This is why God provides his Church with a wide variety of spiritual gifts working together. Yet similarity, a uniting purpose is equally important. When the Body of Christ comes into conflict because of our different personalities, preferences, and priorities, we can reinvigorate our unity by worshiping and seeking Christ together. We all become one in Christ.