ONE IN CHRIST”DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 7, 2026
READ:* Galatians 3 (Focus vs. 26-29)
MEMORY VERSE*
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
BACKGROUND
In January 1967, the town of Winneconne discovered it had been mistakenly omitted from the official Wisconsin state road map, costing the town vital tourist revenue. So the town decided to secede from Wisconsin and become its own sovereign state on July 21 of that year.
Some say the secession was a move to embarrass the state government, while others claim it was a tongue-in-cheek act of humor. In any case, months of negotiations resulted in state and town coming together again on July 22, 1967.
Most division isn’t as good-natured or as easily resolved. Division is such a threat that the book of Proverbs lists “the person who stirs up conflict” (6:19) as one of seven things “that are detestable to [God]” (v. 16).
Division may not only cause problems but misrepresents Jesus and His Father. The night before the cross, Christ prayed that His followers would be one in Him, “that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).
Jesus made it clear that our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ (or lack of it) impacts the world’s belief in Him! Perhaps that’s why Paul told the Ephesians, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
May we allow the Spirit of Christ to make us one—that the world may be drawn to Him.
Lisa M. Samra
INSIGHT
Disunity keeps the church weak and ineffective in its role of making disciples. In John 17, Jesus prayed for unity among believers in Him (vv. 20-23). He knew they’d need each other as they faced trials because of their faith.
Paul also had much to say about the importance of unity. In Ephesians 4, he urged believers “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1) and to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (v. 3).
In Philippians, he called Euodia and Syntyche “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). Finally, in Colossians he urged his readers to “bear with each other and forgive one another” and “put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (3:13-14).
When believers in Christ are unified in love for Him, they bring hope and light to a dark world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What are some of the things that can divide you from other believers? How can those potential points of conflict be resolved, so that the body of Christ might know and display unity?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Division may not only cause problems but misrepresents Jesus and His Father… Disunity keeps the church weak and ineffective in its role of making disciples… When believers in Christ are unified in love for Him, they bring hope and light to a dark world.”
PR’s TAKE
“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Psalm 133:1 nlt
“The devil does not fear a Big CHURCH. He fears a UNITED CHURCH” Anonymous
“Preaching on unity doesn’t unify a church. Preaching Jesus unifies (the) Church.” (He is the GLUE) Steve Dighton
PRAYER
“Dear Father, please give me a heart for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Learn how you can cultivate unity within your church and community.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“O CHURCH OF GOD UNITED”
O church of God united
To serve one common Lord
Proclaim to all one message
With hearts in glad accord
Christ ever goes before us
We follow day by day
With strong and eager footsteps
Along the upward way
From every land and nation
The ordered ranks appear
To serve one valiant leader
They come from far and near
They chant their one confession
They praise one living Lord
And place their sure dependence
Upon His saving word
Though creeds and tongues may differ
They speak O Christ of Thee
And in Thy loving Spirit
We shall one people be
Lord may our faithful service
And singleness of aim
Proclaim to all the power
Of Thy redeeming name
May Thy great prayer be answered
That we may all be one
Close bound by love united
In Thee God’s blessed Son
To bring a single witness
To make the pathway bright
That souls who grope in darkness
May find the one true light
