Wednesday, October 17, 2007

ARE WE TOGETHER IN THIS?

I wonder if we were in perfect unity as a Church as Jesus asks of us, what we could accomplish in His Name. Instead there is false doctrines being preached in many churches, believers are argueing amongst one another declaring what they believe is Truth ,and the world is watching. What kind of witness are we, when people see Christians tearing each other apart? Who would want to be a part of that?

Gal 5:19-21
21Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Unity bringing glory to God. "Labor mightily for a healing spirit. Away with all discriminating names whatever that may hinder the applying of balm to heal your wounds...Discord and division become no Christian. For wolves to worry lambs is no wonder, but for one lamb to worry another, this is unnatural and monstrous." Thomas Brooks

Rom 15:5-6
6Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are the Light of the World, our good works, while not the means by which we are saved, does bring glory to our Heavenly Father.We should be shining brightly!

Mat 5:14-16
14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.


“The best way to promote unity is to promote truth. It will not do for us to be all ‘united together’ by simply yielding to one another’s mistakes. We are to love each other in Christ; but we are not to be so united that we are not able to see each other’s faults! (and especially not able to see our own!) No, purge the house of God, and then shall grand and blessed times dawn on us.”
~Charles Spurgeon - April 8th, 1860, sermon 307

John 17:19-23
19"And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 "I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 22 "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me.

Finally we should realize the world is going to hate us because of His name sake, we will go through suffering and afflictions, But we can do it together, lifting up one another, learning from one another, loving one another...being united in truth with one another. If we can do all this, we can face the battle together in Unity found only in Christ.

2 Cor 4:7-10
10But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones--Ephesians 5:30

Cristina

2 comments:

Unknown said...

UNITY - it really is a lovely word but so lacking in many areas of today's culture. Great post here with some wonderful quotes.

I love your purple haze page!

Anonymous said...

Spurgeon again speaks God's truth in such an up front and truthful way.