“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 judgement”
(Unity of the Spirit, The need of the hour)
To the Lord be all glory and praise, who has called us into this great grace, by our Savior Jesus Christ. In this 4th part of the series:
A seed shall serve him, we shall focus upon the title: Unity of the Spirit, The need of the hour.
“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 judgement”
The Church at Corinth was one that flourished in spiritual gifts. The contents of apostolic letters to each Church, gave idea about their spiritual growth and also the issues that trended among them. In as much as the Church at Corinth was zealous in spiritual gifts, there was carnality, self and fleshly pleasures among them. The major carnal works among them were: Differences of opinions and ministry preferences. These were so pronounced among them, that such grew to become idolatry. Hero worship got a strong hold on the local Church.
Many of the assemblies of God’s people today, are riddled with divisions and sub-divisions; most of the times, about matters not relating to God’s glory, but of self, ego and carnal matters. The word of the Lord through Paul the Apostle, admonished the Church at Philippi:
”Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory…”-Phil. 2:3.
The seed that shall declare the generation of Christ shall speak the same thing and shall not be divided on any line. This seed shall be perfectly joined together in the same mind and same judgement. If our eyes are truly upon the Lord, and the glory to be revealed in us as the continuation of Christ’s days on earth, then, we shall apply our hearts to these things.
ENDEAVOUR! “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit…”-Ephesians 4:3 Endeavour-(Greek): To make effort; to take to heart; to exert oneself; to do speedily. These, and more, the Lord is demanding of his people at this hour, especially, the seed that shall declare his generation.
A command and a responsibility:
Unity of the Spirit is a command from God to his people. We have no other choice about it. We, as God’s people, must then take it as a responsibility to take this command to heart and obey it. Unity of the Spirit is our corporate responsibility to one another, for the sake of the Lord and his glory to be revealed; but unity of the faith is God’s responsibility to his Church!
Unity of the Spirit and tolerance:
“…but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”-Phil. 2:3 To esteem, is to rate higher or better
TOLERANCE:
The ability to allow and bear with the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with. Combining the Philippians 2:3 scripture with the above definition, we may deduce that God desires we give room for one another, and, as it were, assume the opinion or judgement of others superior to our own; especially in matters there is no “Thus Saith the Lord”. And there are many of such issues dividing God’s precious people!
“Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; … For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”-1 Corinthians 15:1-4. “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner…” Acts 1:11.
In the above two scriptures, Paul the Apostle list four indices that identify our common salvation:
- Christ died for our sins -So we should no longer be slaves to sin.
- Christ was buried -Our old nature was also buried with him
- Christ rose again the third day -Which is our hope that all does not end at physical death
- Christ is coming back again – Comfort and joy amidst life’s troubles and uncertainties.
Let it be said that there are issues that tend to tear the Lord’s people apart, which are not relevant to redemptive hope in Christ; although a few of such may have to do with individual’s personal consecration and spiritual maturity.
There was a time certain brethren vehemently disagreed as to whether communion should be served with one big single cup or shared into small cups and drunk separately. So strong a matter, that some would boycott partaking of the Lord’s Table! But, does it really matter whether we drink from same big cup or with small cups, seeing such issues of contentions are only symbolic of deeper truths? Again, some were strongly opined, as to whether fasting should be on Tuesdays and Fridays of every week (As some recorded the early Church practiced) or whether it should be left to decisions of each local congregations.
Beloved, these are the issues of which we speak, which as simple as they seem, have torn God’s people apart, causing fellowship to cease! The seed of Christ shall however, focus and dwell on matters that have to do with godliness and redemption. Make no mistake; there are still issues that border upon personal vows, consecration and spiritual maturity that need not be enforced upon other believers. These should be separated from matters of common divine instructions.
As the trumpet of the Lord is sounding, and gathering together his eagle saints, who have a part in this seed company, let us be mindful to tolerate one another; especially on matters the Lord has not specifically instructed. As we tolerate one another, we shall be disposed to also learn from one another; for no single person has all the wisdom or knows it all. Christ has freely distributed himself among his people; to the intent that the world shall yet see the power and grace bestowed upon one single body of many members!