Spiritual Stability (Ephesians 4:3)
Ephesians 4:3, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Napoleon's fleet was gathering off the coast of Spain. Britain immediately dispatched her best admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, to command their fleet in battle. In a letter prior to arriving off of Trafalgar, Nelson wrote his friend Admiral Collingwood: "My dear Coll: I shall be with you in a very few days, and I hope you will remain as second-in-command. You will change the Dreadnought for the Royal Sovereign, which I hope you will like." Collingwood was unhappy with this change and argued openly with the captain of his flagship. Nelson implored them, "In the presence of the enemy all men should be brothers. We are one and I hope always will be." Prior to the battle, Nelson addressed his fleet: "In our several stations we must all put our shoulders to the wheel, and make the great machine of the fleet, entrusted to our charge, go on smoothly." On October 21, 1805, the British fleet scored a resounding victory at Trafalgar. Not all of those in Nelson's fleet agreed with each other, but they followed his encouragement to fight together against a greater enemy.
I Corinthians 1:10, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Having a spiritual balance will help us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit of God. God does not want His children fussing, fighting, feuding, and frustrated with one another. Often disagreements occur within the church. But we must remember that there is a much larger battle going on for the souls of men and women.
Divisiveness and a disturbance of the peace and spirit of unity is catastrophic for the church. This is the reason for this charge. The word "endeavor" means being diligent, working to take care and to do one's very best, and to make haste to do it. The only way to walk worthy of God's great calling is to work at keeping the peace and unity which God has given us. Nothing cuts the heart of God like divisiveness between His people, divisiveness which tears apart His church. The very thing God is doing is creating a new body of people to live together in the love and unity of His Son. He expects us to live in the love and unity of His Spirit now.
Paul commands them to “keep” this unity, not to “establish” it. This is God’s program. The church didn’t create the unity. God calls us to preserve what He’s already created (Ephesians 2:11-22). The purpose for walking worthy is the unity amongst believers. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God's Spirit. Jesus Christ has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. There is a great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers. All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and a spirit of love, peace, and unity exist. Unfortunately, not every believer walks in the Spirit—not all the time. Too often, believers allow self and the old life to re-enter the picture. Such as pride, jealousy, quarrels, criticism, murmuring and etc. The Holy Spirit can override human differences and hold us together through the bond of peace. Unity where once there was division—will act like a belt to hold us together.
10 Points on Unity
1) Unity is based on Christ’s love and purpose at work in and through our lives (John 17:20-21; I Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:13).
2) Believers are to glorify God "with one mind and one mouth" (Romans 15:6).
3) Believers should keep the unity of the Spirit in peace (Ephesians 4:3).
4) Unity cannot be achieved by human efforts or organizations (Galatians 3:3).
5) Believers must walk with all lowliness (Philippians 2:3), with all meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing others in love (Galatians 5:22-23).
6) Believers were to continue in unity, by living “worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” (Ephesians 3:1).
7) Unity is maintained by being loyal to the truth and moving in obedience to the leading of the Spirit (Ephesians 3:1-3; 14-15; Galatians 5:22-26).
8) Unity expresses itself outwardly in good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 6:10; Titus 2:14, I John 3:17-18).
9) Unity is maintained by God-given leaders (Ephesians 4:11-16).
10) Unity is a Christ centered church united together in mind and faith and purpose to serve Jesus Christ and fulfill the Great Commission (Romans 15:6; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-13; Philippians 1:27).
We are to endeavor to keep unity and be bound together in peace whether it is in the home or the church. This word "endeavor" means "to be eager, to make haste, to exert yourself and do everything that you can to accomplish something, to guard."
We are to constantly maintain our unity with believers.
Philippians 1:27, Only let your conversation 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;. The words "striving together" are from the Greek word sunathleo. It is formed from two Greek words: sun which means "with" and athleo which means "to compete in an athletic event." Our English word "athlete or athletics" comes from the word athleo. It speaks of teamwork whereby a group of athletes pull together, cooperate, and give it their all to defeat a common opponent and win the contest. Unity is not sameness. We Christians maintain our God-created uniqueness but share a common vision and goal. A football team includes players with different roles, but teammates work together for the same purpose. Paul compares the church to a team of athletes and admonishes them that it is teamwork that wins the victory. We are to be working together for the Lord Jesus Christ!
When thousands of Jews returned to their ancestral land. They came from all over the world. From speaking different languages, wearing different clothes, eating different food. Acknowledging these differences, one Jewish man explained, "What we have in common is so much more important than what separates us." What a lesson for those who wear Christ's name? Divided by opinions, traditions, and culture, we likewise have something more in common. We belong to Jesus!
Questions to Consider:
Are you in a disagreement with another Christian?
What are you doing intentionally to maintain unity?
How is your fellowship in the Spirit today affecting the way you see and relate to other believers?
Points to Ponder:
Do something today to promote unity through your words, attitudes, and actions.
God is watching how we treat each other and honors every time we engage in fellowship.
Ask the Lord for wisdom so you can find common ground to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.
Prayer, Father in Heaven, I am so thankful that You desired to have a personal relationship with me. I know that it was only possible through the shed blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Reveal to me anything in me that disrupts or obstructs the unity that Your Spirit is purposing for in my church. I desire to have a deeper relationship with You. I understand that the closer I walk with You the stronger my relationship with You and with others will be, Amen.
If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
Ephesians 4:3, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Napoleon's fleet was gathering off the coast of Spain. Britain immediately dispatched her best admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, to command their fleet in battle. In a letter prior to arriving off of Trafalgar, Nelson wrote his friend Admiral Collingwood: "My dear Coll: I shall be with you in a very few days, and I hope you will remain as second-in-command. You will change the Dreadnought for the Royal Sovereign, which I hope you will like." Collingwood was unhappy with this change and argued openly with the captain of his flagship. Nelson implored them, "In the presence of the enemy all men should be brothers. We are one and I hope always will be." Prior to the battle, Nelson addressed his fleet: "In our several stations we must all put our shoulders to the wheel, and make the great machine of the fleet, entrusted to our charge, go on smoothly." On October 21, 1805, the British fleet scored a resounding victory at Trafalgar. Not all of those in Nelson's fleet agreed with each other, but they followed his encouragement to fight together against a greater enemy.
I Corinthians 1:10, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Having a spiritual balance will help us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit of God. God does not want His children fussing, fighting, feuding, and frustrated with one another. Often disagreements occur within the church. But we must remember that there is a much larger battle going on for the souls of men and women.
Divisiveness and a disturbance of the peace and spirit of unity is catastrophic for the church. This is the reason for this charge. The word "endeavor" means being diligent, working to take care and to do one's very best, and to make haste to do it. The only way to walk worthy of God's great calling is to work at keeping the peace and unity which God has given us. Nothing cuts the heart of God like divisiveness between His people, divisiveness which tears apart His church. The very thing God is doing is creating a new body of people to live together in the love and unity of His Son. He expects us to live in the love and unity of His Spirit now.
Paul commands them to “keep” this unity, not to “establish” it. This is God’s program. The church didn’t create the unity. God calls us to preserve what He’s already created (Ephesians 2:11-22). The purpose for walking worthy is the unity amongst believers. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God's Spirit. Jesus Christ has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. There is a great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers. All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and a spirit of love, peace, and unity exist. Unfortunately, not every believer walks in the Spirit—not all the time. Too often, believers allow self and the old life to re-enter the picture. Such as pride, jealousy, quarrels, criticism, murmuring and etc. The Holy Spirit can override human differences and hold us together through the bond of peace. Unity where once there was division—will act like a belt to hold us together.
10 Points on Unity
1) Unity is based on Christ’s love and purpose at work in and through our lives (John 17:20-21; I Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:13).
2) Believers are to glorify God "with one mind and one mouth" (Romans 15:6).
3) Believers should keep the unity of the Spirit in peace (Ephesians 4:3).
4) Unity cannot be achieved by human efforts or organizations (Galatians 3:3).
5) Believers must walk with all lowliness (Philippians 2:3), with all meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing others in love (Galatians 5:22-23).
6) Believers were to continue in unity, by living “worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” (Ephesians 3:1).
7) Unity is maintained by being loyal to the truth and moving in obedience to the leading of the Spirit (Ephesians 3:1-3; 14-15; Galatians 5:22-26).
8) Unity expresses itself outwardly in good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 6:10; Titus 2:14, I John 3:17-18).
9) Unity is maintained by God-given leaders (Ephesians 4:11-16).
10) Unity is a Christ centered church united together in mind and faith and purpose to serve Jesus Christ and fulfill the Great Commission (Romans 15:6; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-13; Philippians 1:27).
We are to endeavor to keep unity and be bound together in peace whether it is in the home or the church. This word "endeavor" means "to be eager, to make haste, to exert yourself and do everything that you can to accomplish something, to guard."
We are to constantly maintain our unity with believers.
- Unity Among Christians (Ephesians 2:14-15)
- Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:5)
- Unity of the Home (Ephesians 5:28, 31)
- Unity of the Faith (Ephesians 4:13)
Philippians 1:27, Only let your conversation 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;. The words "striving together" are from the Greek word sunathleo. It is formed from two Greek words: sun which means "with" and athleo which means "to compete in an athletic event." Our English word "athlete or athletics" comes from the word athleo. It speaks of teamwork whereby a group of athletes pull together, cooperate, and give it their all to defeat a common opponent and win the contest. Unity is not sameness. We Christians maintain our God-created uniqueness but share a common vision and goal. A football team includes players with different roles, but teammates work together for the same purpose. Paul compares the church to a team of athletes and admonishes them that it is teamwork that wins the victory. We are to be working together for the Lord Jesus Christ!
When thousands of Jews returned to their ancestral land. They came from all over the world. From speaking different languages, wearing different clothes, eating different food. Acknowledging these differences, one Jewish man explained, "What we have in common is so much more important than what separates us." What a lesson for those who wear Christ's name? Divided by opinions, traditions, and culture, we likewise have something more in common. We belong to Jesus!
Questions to Consider:
Are you in a disagreement with another Christian?
What are you doing intentionally to maintain unity?
How is your fellowship in the Spirit today affecting the way you see and relate to other believers?
Points to Ponder:
Do something today to promote unity through your words, attitudes, and actions.
God is watching how we treat each other and honors every time we engage in fellowship.
Ask the Lord for wisdom so you can find common ground to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.
Prayer, Father in Heaven, I am so thankful that You desired to have a personal relationship with me. I know that it was only possible through the shed blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Reveal to me anything in me that disrupts or obstructs the unity that Your Spirit is purposing for in my church. I desire to have a deeper relationship with You. I understand that the closer I walk with You the stronger my relationship with You and with others will be, Amen.
If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com