In the last blog, I talked about divisiveness amongst
believers and how we need to ensure that we handle our differences
appropriately as blood-bought believers in Christ. Today I'm going to go even further, delve
into Scripture and see what it has to say about unity.
Unity is what God puts together by His Spirit, not what
man tries to piece together on his own frail efforts. It is marked by humility and a willingness to
be in agreement with one another regardless of differences of opinion. When we start to become argumentative, then
we have entered into the realm of the flesh, and in some cases, demonic
activity. Unity can rarely come from
ourselves, but only from the power of the Holy Spirit. Our part is to be willing to make things
right with someone, regardless of who is at fault.
Just a word of caution -- when someone talks about unity
and are thinking that they have to hold a group together by keeping others with
a difference of opinion out, that is not unity!
That is showing partiality and is in no way Scriptural. In such a group, godly unity as outlined in
the Bible will not be possible. Let's
look at what Scripture has to say about it.
Php 1:27 Only
let your conversation [conduct] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel;
This is what I've been saying in previous blogs. Regardless of our doctrinal differences, we
are to "with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel;". We can only do this when
we are in obedience to the above Scripture!
Php 2:1 If there
be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind.
Php 2:3 Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Making things right with someone is a choice, and
choosing to think right thoughts about someone will align us more with the kind
of thinking that pleases and glorifies God.
If our thoughts towards someone are laced with anger and condemnation,
this is NOT the mind of Christ, is it?
Almost everyone has encountered difficulties with another
believer, whether a church attendant, a friend or even a family member (perhaps
a spouse). Many times it is difficult to
forgive when we've been wronged or hurt.
But spiritual growth will not be possible until we have made things
right with them and before God.
Forgiveness is so closely tied to our relationship with God, that
without it, we walk in darkness.
1Jn 2:9 He that
saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until
now.
1Jn 2:10 He that
loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of
stumbling in him.
1Jn 2:11 But he
that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth
not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Mat 6:14 For if
ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if
ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.
Are we walking worthy of our calling? Look at the following to see the kind of
attitude we need to have towards one another.
Eph 4:1 I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called, Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is
one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 One God and Father of
all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
In a previous blog, I also talked about churches that
show preferential treatment to some members, but fails to give the same
consideration to others. In every church
The Lord has gifted people to serve in different capacities, and not one person
doing everything. We notice this in
verse 11.
Eph 4:7 But unto
every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now
that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower
parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that
descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he
might fill all things.) Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we
all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From
whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Have you ever wondered why your church may not be growing
as it should be? Look at verse 16. Every
part needs to be working to make increase in a way that is edifying and done by
love. Is this what you see happening in
your church? Sadly, I have not seen this
happen in some churches I have attended.
Eph 4:17 This I
say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Eph 4:18 Having the
understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance
that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:19 Who
being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all
uncleanness with greediness.
Eph 4:20 But ye
have not so learned Christ; Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and
have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye
put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of
your mind; Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we
are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye
angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither
give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him
that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the
thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the
use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And
grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away
from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be
ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
In the above verses, there is a lot to take in. Basically, in verses 17-24, we have work to
do. We must not give in to the person we
once were and become lazy when it comes to how we live and especially how treat
other people. Now we are different, we
are children of light, and we must live a life that shows the love of God. We must walk in newness of life.
In verses 29-30, we see how we can grieve the Spirit of
God - what comes out of our mouth! What
is He hearing today? Is it edifying?
Does it draw us closer to one another and to God? If not, then are we grieving the Spirit of
God? We need to take inventory of our
thoughts and actions towards others. Perhaps someone has come to mind and you
know you need to make things right with that person. If so, do not delay, for you will reap God's
blessings if you make the first step.
Act 2:38 Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:40 And
with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from
this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43 And
fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles.
Act 2:44 And all
that believed were together, and had all things common; Act 2:45 And sold
their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And
they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Act
2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved.
May we have such an openness of heart and unity in Spirit
today.
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