Unity

Ephesians Chapter 4

Unity

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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:

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;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

How many times have we heard; “I can worship as good before TV preaching as I can in church groups.” Don’t be too quick to agree and add a ‘but.’ There are no ‘buts’ where God is concerned. “It is what it is.” All God’s children, from the least to the greatest, are a link in the chain of Christian living and spiritual development. God gave to EVERY believer some gift of grace. It is not a gift meant for display on a shelf in our homes but it is to be displayed in our souls. Such showing of your gift of God is best witnessed in the mutual help shared with a group of saints. Saints give their talent “gift” to fellow saints so that he might give to them in return, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging that Christ is the only begotten Son of God, but such as brings faith, trust and obedience. This mutual sharing cannot happen in a TV audience from our pajama draped bodies lying sedate on a cuddle couch before a televised evangelist. In unity in the body of Christ as one flesh, is where the Spirit circulate. We follow an arduous path toward the gate of pearl.

Christians are only complete in Christ when all the gift chain links together. There is a fullness in Christ, and a measure of that fullness given in the counsel of God to every believer. Finally, we will come to the perfect possession of all gifts united into perfection when we arrive in heaven. God's children are undergoing a metamorphosis, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's focuses must be on glorifying Christ. As a Christian is drawn strive for spiritual growth in his station in live according to God’s gift unto them, they are following the “right oath.” When we give all that we receive of the Holy Spirit to the spiritual good of others and Glory to God, we have answered our calling. If we do this, we may the more certainly believe that we have the Grace of sincere love and charity floating in our heart for dispersal as opportunity presents itself. There is little chance that such will occur as we recline on our bed of leisure. For the physically able, church worship is a necessity.

Apostle Paul charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that after they professed the gospel, they must not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections but as new creatures of love. All seem to desire to some extent to dance a devils step. On every side, many “Christians” walk in the vanity of their minds. We must, as Christian workers, instill in others a distinction between real and nominal Christians. They are void of all saving knowledge; they sit in darkness, and love it rather than light. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction. Sitting lone listening to beautiful gospel singing, preaching ot teaching, isolated converts from God. He said that “where two or three are gathered together” He would be in the midst of them. Yes, he is always with us as we walk alone but when we worship all the gifts of the holy Spirit must be shared. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is our guide to how we share. Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, “Meekness, temperance:...”One gift alone, stands alone. Several Christians bearing gifts to one another and God moves mountains. Know God, know truth. Amen 11-22-2019 BLL