10--UNITY

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." – Romans 12:4, 5


Note: God’s people must put forth a united front in this world. They need to work in harmony with one another to finish God’s work on this earth. If all are cooperating with the Holy Spirit, according to their individual abilities, they will be as one in purpose as the Godhead is one is purpose.

"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. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many." -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-14


Note: The members of the body of Christ need always to be led by the Spirit of God. After the angels of God remove the chaff from the wheat, the tares from the wheat, or the shaking or shifting takes place, God will have a pure church whose members will receive the early and latter rain power to finish God’s work on this earth. Then Christ will come to take His children home. Do you want to be part of this wonderful plan of God?

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen." – Matthew 28:19, 20


Note: We will all be of one accord, with one goal, to bring as many as will come with us into the kingdom of God. This we will do until men’s probation closes and the end comes.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!" --Psalm 133:1


Note: What more can we say? When families are in unity, when friends are in unity there is love, joy, and peace. Because of the fallen nature of man, there is not too much lasting peace on this earth. There is little unselfish love, and not a lot of real joy. Our Saviour is the only one that can give us such fruit in our lives. Those who are united to Him, will be united to each other.

"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:" – Acts 17:26, 27


Note: Every single person on earth is loved by our God, but not every person accepts this love. It doesn’t matter about our color, nationality, caste, or any other division– if we serve our Creator and Redeemer, we can be in unity.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." – Galatians 3:27-29


Note: Here we find we all are Abraham’s seed, because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master. All are equal in God’s sight.

"And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." -– Colossians 3:10-15


Note: When the Spirit of God dwells in our hearts and minds there is no earthly division we need to worry about. We are all one family. All the fruit of the Spirit will appear in our lives (Galatians 5:2, 23).

"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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: 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." – Ephesians 4:14-16

Note: The traditions and doctrines of men will often divide us. We cannot compromise the truth found in God’s word. So let us be very sure our doctrines and teachings are based soundly on the Bible and not on human ideas.

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all." – Ephesians 4:1-6


Note: When God truly dwells in us through His Holy Spirit, we will come more and more into unity with those who also have this experience. Yes, sometimes we have been led astray. God understands our backgrounds and what we have learned from others who may have not known themselves what the Bible teaches on some subjects. It is so important that we, as individuals, do as the Bereans did in Bible times. We need to check with the Scriptures and see if what we are hearing is the truth. We need to pray earnestly for the heavenly eyesalve, mentioned in Revelation, so we will not be deceived.

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." -- John 17:20-23

Note: Jesus’ beautiful prayer in John 17 reveals to us how much God wants us to be in unity with Him and with one another. He is the only one that can accomplish this in each of us. This unity also shows those looking on that God is with us. They may decide they also want such a fellowship with God, because of our positive witness for Him.

CONCLUSION:

We long for a unity that brings much love, peace, and joy into our lives. This can only be accomplished through the One who “first loved us.” Are you willing to do anything God wants you to do in order to bring this about?