“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”-Philippians 2:1
(Unity of the Spirit & the Corporate Seed)
As we continue with our meditation on the topic: A seed shall serve him, our area of focus in this third part shall be:
The Unity of the Spirit and the corporate seed.
The burden in question, is to direct the attention of the Lord’s people to the need for this seed to be of one mind and also see eye to eye, in order to fulfill the mandate of the Lord for it.
The major scriptures for meditation shall be: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”-Philippians 2:1-3
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit…” -Ephesians 4:3-4
“Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion”-Isaiah 52:8
Researches in social anthropology have taught men to recognize the power of unity in accomplishing any task by any group of humans. To this, the scriptures strongly allude in Genesis 11:1-7:
“And the whole earth was of one language, and one speech…And they said one to another, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven…and let us make us a name…And the LORD said, Behold the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
Paul the Apostle was in prison, on account of the gospel of Christ, when he penned the contents of the letter to the Church at Philippi, a Church which received it’s foundational ministry through the persecution and bodily pains inflicted upon Paul and Silas. It was a Church with prospects in the things of the Kingdom of God. But there was internal wrangling.
One of the first stones that Satan commonly casts at any work of the Kingdom of God is disagreement. This has been the pattern through the ages, even at the early Church-Acts 15:7, 36-40.
By definition, DISAGREEMENT means any or a combination of the following:
- Failure to agree
- A difference of opinion
- Lack of consensus…
Paul was concerned for the work of God at Philippi, where there were differences of opinion among brethren; some, by reasons of differences on personal issues between brethren, and some strictly by reasons of God’s work. He pleaded with them generally to return to like-mindedness.
To the Ephesian Church, the local Church reputed to have received the ‘most advanced’ revelation of the mystery of Christ; he counselled them to keep the unity of the Spirit. No one gives advice to keep what is not valuable or precious! Unity of the Spirit is a great treasure. We must do all within our capacity to keep (preserve) it!
Several dimensions and dynamics of the preservation of this great treasure in our local places of worship shall be shared extensively, in the course of this meditation. Reason is primarily because the seed that shall be accounted to the LORD for a generation, will only be in a position to fulfill it’s divine mandate, as it treasures and preserves the unity of the Spirit. It had been an area of challenge to the watchmen of the Lord, all across the globe. In as much as it is of interest to us, so it is of greater interest and concern to the Lord, as Isaiah the Prophet wrote: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion”-Isaiah 52:8
Many of the Assemblies of God’s people would have accomplished much more than they have, if the true knowledge and principles of the unity of the Spirit were properly understood and applied.
Is it possible for the Lord’s people to agree on all things and to never disagree on any matter?
As the age of the Church gradually winds up, and we anticipate the great and final outpouring of God’s Spirit, as never before experienced in the history of the Church, let us remember that the power of the holy people of God shall depend greatly on managing their differences. But, why do Christian brethren have differences?
There are three common reasons:
- The issue of SELF, wanting it’s own way-Philippians 2:3-4
- The passion for God’s glory and purpose-Acts 15:36-40 (We must however be aware we are still in the in-part realm, and we still see through a glass darkly)-1 Corinthians 13: 12
- Where there is a word of the Lord on a matter , which cannot be compromised-Gal. 2:11-16
What is the Red Line then that must not be crossed by brethren, irrespective of the level and extent of any disagreement?:
The moment any disagreement gives room for disaffection among brethren, then the RED line is crossed, and the door is opened to Satan and to sin.
But, why should the matter of the unity of the Spirit be of serious interest to the believers in Christ at these closing days of the Church age?
- It is commanded by God.
- The devil has often employed it to slow down or cause God’s work to cease among his people.
- It does not come ‘automatically’ but as we strive at it.
- It is the wheel that shall take the Church of Christ to the unity of faith.
- It shuts the devil out from the congregation of God’s people.
- It provokes life and blessing-Psalm 133:3.
What then, are the negative effects of a people of God or a Christian assembly not operating in the unity of the Spirit?
- The Spirit of the Lord is often ‘shut out’ from the congregation or his operations are limited.
- The attention of the Lord’s people is shifted from God’s purpose to ‘Things’
- It distracts the ministries or the Assembly as a whole from their duty posts.
- Prevailing prayers and spiritual watchfulness are relegated through ‘disputations’
- Satan is easily granted a pass to tear the Church apart or afflict the people of God. (Most of the time, by reasons of matters not relevant to the divine plan)\
- Brethren often cross the RED line from disagreement to disaffections.
May all the congregations of the Lord’s people, where the unity of the Spirit is lacking be visited anew.
May the good Lord heal our hearts, and may we be turned around by him, to be a people of one language and a pure speech!