What a loving God we serve
God is big, very big. Man is small, really small. Why then do we have many examples in the Bible and in our lives of God caring for us, providing, defending and occasionally suspending natural laws because of those who believe in Him? God truly loves man and shows this in amazing ways. If you will wait on Him, you will surely see His wonders in your life and circumstances.
For since the world began,
no ear has heard
and no eye has seen a God like you,
who works for those who wait for him! (Isaiah 64:4 NLT)
Most of us think of a God who sits in the heavens, enjoying and receiving worship but many times we see a different picture in the Scriptures. We a Father who is actively engaged in the affairs of His children; looking for ways to help, encourage, deliver, heal, counsel, guide and guard.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a NKJV)
The secret to life is not self-love but God-love. When we align our lives with Jesus, we truly begin to live and control our circumstances rather than being controlled by them. We become proactive rather than reactive. We dictate rather than being subjects of our environment. What a privilege!
The Bible expressly declares that after resurrection, the Lord Jesus sat at the right hand of God in heaven. We read in the books of Ephesians and Hebrews;
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20 NKJV)
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (Hebrews 8:1 NKJV)
If indeed Christ is seated at the throne of God, does He ever get up and under what circumstances? He gets up when those who are sold out to Him need attention. He rises up to stand by, defend, deliver and save those whose hearts are after Him. This was what happened to Stephen when he was being stoned.
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55 NKJV).
From this passage, it's clear that the Lord Jesus would stand up for any of His people when the need arises. The love that drove Him to the cross continues to push Him to care deeply for us. Every believer who has this understanding should not suffer from depression, worry, anxiety and restlessness.
Is your heart loyal to the Lord? Do you wait on Him in praise, prayers and sometimes fasting? If so, be rest assured that God is on your side and His thoughts toward you are thoughts of good and not evil to give you a better than expected end.
Thank you Jesus for You not only died for us but You also intercede for us before the Father. Even when we don't pray as we should, Jesus, our Prayer Partner, continuously prays for us. It was the prayer of the Lord Jesus for Peter that saved him from permanent fall away from grace (Luke 22:31-33).
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV).
Worship Him who sits on the throne. He'll stand up for you when the need arises.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Group greater than self
Introduction
What is a Group?
A group is a collection of people who interact with one another; accept rights and obligations as members and who share a common identity.
Criteria for a group include:
• formal structure
• 2 or more persons
• common fate
• common goals
• interdependence
• recognition by others
Stages of group development
Bruce Tuckman (1965) developed a 4-stage model of group development. He labeled the stages:
1. Forming: The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group.
2. Storming: A chaotic vying for leadership and trialing of group processes
3. Norming: Eventually agreement is reached on how the group operates
4. Performing: The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives.
Tuckman added a 5th stage 10 years later:
5. Adjourning: The process of "unforming" the group, that is, letting go of the group structure and moving on.
Forming - stage 1
There is high dependence on the leader for guidance and direction. Little agreement on team aims other than received from leader. Individual roles and responsibilities are unclear. Leader must be prepared to answer lots of questions about the team's purpose, objectives and external relationships. Leader directs.
Storming - stage 2
Decisions don't come easily within group. Team members vie for position as they attempt to establish themselves in relation to other team members and the leader, who might receive challenges from team members. Clarity of purpose increases but plenty of uncertainties persist. Cliques and factions form and there may be power struggles. The team needs to be focused on its goals to avoid becoming distracted by relationships and emotional issues. Compromises may be required to enable progress. Leader coaches.
Norming - stage 3
Agreement and consensus is largely formed among the team. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted. Big decisions are made by the group. Smaller decisions may be delegated to individuals or small teams within group. Commitment and unity is strong. The team may engage in fun and social activities. The team discusses and develops its processes and working style. There is general respect for the leader and some of leadership is more shared by the team. Leader facilitates and enables.
Performing - stage 4
The team is more strategically aware; the team knows clearly why it is doing what it is doing. The team has a shared vision and is able to stand on its own feet with no interference or participation from the leader. There is a focus on over-achieving goals, and the team makes most of the decisions against criteria agreed with the leader. The team has a high degree of autonomy. Disagreements occur but now they are resolved within the team positively and necessary changes to processes and structure are made by the team. Team members look after each other. The team requires delegated tasks and projects from the leader. The team does not need to be instructed or assisted. Team members might ask for assistance from the leader with personal and interpersonal development. Leader delegates and oversees.
Adjourning - stage 5
Tuckman's fifth stage, adjourning, is the break-up of the group, hopefully when the task is completed successfully, its purpose fulfilled; everyone can move on to new things, feeling good about what's been achieved.
The importance of groups from a biblical perspective
Principle 1: It is God-like to be group minded.
The Godhead is a group consisting of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They are different yet the same. They function as 1 unit. In Genesis, we learn how the Trio worked to create the cosmos. The Father spoke (Genesis 1:3-26) and the Spirit hovered (Genesis 1:2) but concerning the Son we read, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that was made". (John 1:3). In making man, He said, "Let US make man in Our image after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). The Trinity is a small group.
After creating man, he was found to be incomplete until a woman came into the scene. Man is like the Godhead in this respect. He is at his best as a small group called family.
After founding the family unit in Genesis 2:18-24, God moved on to recognize the extended family. In saving Noah’s family, he and his wife, his sons and their wives were all saved. (Genesis 7:7).
In the New Testament, upon being born-again, a believer becomes a host to the Holy Spirit. A Representative of the Trinity comes to live within. This makes every believer a group even when single! (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Ephesians 4:4-6. There are 7 Ones in these verses:
One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” Psalm 133:1
Beyond this, we are all members of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-6. “You are called to belong, not just believe” (Rick Warren).
Principle 2: Loners are losers; networkers are net winners.
Two are better than one, because together they can work effectively.
If one of them falls down, the other can help him up….
Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone.
A rope made of three cords is hard to break. Ecclesiastes 4:9 TEV
Life is not for loners. Life is like a symphony. “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it”. H.E. Luccock.
There are gifts deposited in each of us that require other people’s input for us to maximize output and reach our utmost potential. How do humans develop? A baby is deposited into a loving family to groom and develop. Then he leaves for school to receive other inputs from other adults outside the family. He develops friends who also help shape his mind and hone his skills. He joins clubs, churches and associations where he learns more of life’s lessons. He gets married, linking up with another human to go through the battles of life. He becomes a parent, starting the cycle all over again.
Principle 3: Fellowship is God’s home address.
There are 2 addresses for the Almighty on earth: the praises of his people and fellowship. God inhabits the praises of His people and He also inhabits their coming together. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst”. Matthew 18:20. Internet church can never fully duplicate a local church. Where is “their midst” when you attend an internet church? Is God sitting on a server somewhere? You miss God when you miss church.
Principle 4: Tough times never last; group people do.
“If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” Ecclesiastes 9:10.
There comes a time in life when we all need the assistance of some other person to come along and help through adversity. Visions often need platforms but platforms are easier for those who have linked up with other people.
Barriers to Group Dynamics
Pride Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6. “Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we”. (Unknown). The following are barriers to benefitting from any group: competitive spirit, un-forgiveness, impatience, lack of vision and direction, too quick to judge (Matthew 1:7), mis-communication, gossip and tale bearing, immaturity in love (1 Corinthians 14:20).
Benefits of the Group
1. Group effort is the most powerful building tool in the history of creation. The tower of Babel demonstrates the power of many people working as one. Genesis 11:6. “The locusts have no King, yet go they forth all of them by bands” Proverbs 30:27. The acronym, TEAM, means Together Everyone Achieves More. One locust is easily destroyed by one person but a swarm of locust made Pharaoh to ask God for mercy (Psalms 78:46, Exodus 10:14-15, Joel 2:25)
2. Leverage. “How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up?” Deuteronomy 32:30. In this equation, 1 = 1000 but 2 = 10000. Teams share the burden and divide the grief.
- Doug Smith
3. The impossible becomes possible when individuals within a group are prepared to sacrifice for the common good. When a swarm of locusts reach a river, they search for the bank for a likely spot to cross, then fearlessly cast themselves upon the water where they form floating islands of insects, most of which usually succeed in getting to the opposite bank, though many perish in the attempt. Goals are almost always achievable for the group as long as necessary sacrifices are made by some of the members. “There is no I in Teamwork”. (Unknown).
4. Every minister needs a support. “If you don’t kick things around with people, you are out of it. Nobody, I always say, can be anybody without somebody being around”. (John Wheeler). Aaron and Hur supported Moses by lifting up his hands in the battle against Amalek (Exodus 17:10-12). Joshua and Caleb supported the ministry of Moses by declaring a positive report. David and Jonathan were covenant friends. Elisha poured water over Elijah’s hands and served him. Timothy labored with Paul, his mentor. “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle”. (Japanese proverb).
What to do within a group?
1. Maximize your strength and minimize your weakness. Celebrate diversity. There is a reason our fingers aren’t equal. “You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note”. (Doug Floyd)
2. Act like Christ did within the Godhead (Philippians 2:5-8)
3. Be quick to praise, slow to blame. (James 1:19). “If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, they did it. (Coach Bear Bryant).
4. Lead by serving (Matthew 23:11). “Wearing the same shirts doesn’t make a team”. (Buchholz and Roth). Don’t be neutral. Be committed. Someone wrote this poem:
There was a very cautious man Who never laughed or played. He never risked, he never tried, He never sang or prayed. And when he one day passed away, His insurance was denied. For since he never really lived, They claimed he never really died.
5. Be tenderhearted (Philippians 2:2-4, 1 Peter 3:8).
6. Be adaptable. (1 Corinthian 9:22).
7. Avoid strive (2 Timothy 2:24, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11).
8. Always act in love (John 13:35, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Cor 12:25-26).
9. Sow accord so God does not hate you. (Proverbs 6:16-19).
10. Find common ground (Amos 3:3). A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way. (Swahili proverb).
Conclusion
John 17:11, 21-23
“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are on”.
“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”.
The standard for our group formation is not the country club goal of tolerating each other. This is not a call for some form of affirmative action on unity. We are to be one in our group just as Christ is one with the Father. It is not simply putting up with people so we can fulfill some selfish ambition. It’s not using people in the name of the Lord. It’s being inter-dependent on others within the Body to the extent we are willing to lay down our lives for them just as Christ laid down his for us. It’s not lip service; it’s life service. “And all who believed were united and they had everything in common” Acts 2:45.
When we function as God wants us to, miracles and spectacular testimonies will abound, millions will be saved, prayer venues will be shaken, no one will go to bed hungry among us and the Lord will be glorified. I believe a people in these last days can come together in such a kindred spirit that God will take note of them just as He noticed the people who came together to build the Towel Babel. We saw a glimpse of this in the Acts of Apostles when many wonders were accomplished because the brethren were in one accord. May you and I be willing and available in the day of His power, Amen.
What is a Group?
A group is a collection of people who interact with one another; accept rights and obligations as members and who share a common identity.
Criteria for a group include:
• formal structure
• 2 or more persons
• common fate
• common goals
• interdependence
• recognition by others
Stages of group development
Bruce Tuckman (1965) developed a 4-stage model of group development. He labeled the stages:
1. Forming: The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group.
2. Storming: A chaotic vying for leadership and trialing of group processes
3. Norming: Eventually agreement is reached on how the group operates
4. Performing: The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives.
Tuckman added a 5th stage 10 years later:
5. Adjourning: The process of "unforming" the group, that is, letting go of the group structure and moving on.
Forming - stage 1
There is high dependence on the leader for guidance and direction. Little agreement on team aims other than received from leader. Individual roles and responsibilities are unclear. Leader must be prepared to answer lots of questions about the team's purpose, objectives and external relationships. Leader directs.
Storming - stage 2
Decisions don't come easily within group. Team members vie for position as they attempt to establish themselves in relation to other team members and the leader, who might receive challenges from team members. Clarity of purpose increases but plenty of uncertainties persist. Cliques and factions form and there may be power struggles. The team needs to be focused on its goals to avoid becoming distracted by relationships and emotional issues. Compromises may be required to enable progress. Leader coaches.
Norming - stage 3
Agreement and consensus is largely formed among the team. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted. Big decisions are made by the group. Smaller decisions may be delegated to individuals or small teams within group. Commitment and unity is strong. The team may engage in fun and social activities. The team discusses and develops its processes and working style. There is general respect for the leader and some of leadership is more shared by the team. Leader facilitates and enables.
Performing - stage 4
The team is more strategically aware; the team knows clearly why it is doing what it is doing. The team has a shared vision and is able to stand on its own feet with no interference or participation from the leader. There is a focus on over-achieving goals, and the team makes most of the decisions against criteria agreed with the leader. The team has a high degree of autonomy. Disagreements occur but now they are resolved within the team positively and necessary changes to processes and structure are made by the team. Team members look after each other. The team requires delegated tasks and projects from the leader. The team does not need to be instructed or assisted. Team members might ask for assistance from the leader with personal and interpersonal development. Leader delegates and oversees.
Adjourning - stage 5
Tuckman's fifth stage, adjourning, is the break-up of the group, hopefully when the task is completed successfully, its purpose fulfilled; everyone can move on to new things, feeling good about what's been achieved.
The importance of groups from a biblical perspective
Principle 1: It is God-like to be group minded.
The Godhead is a group consisting of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They are different yet the same. They function as 1 unit. In Genesis, we learn how the Trio worked to create the cosmos. The Father spoke (Genesis 1:3-26) and the Spirit hovered (Genesis 1:2) but concerning the Son we read, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that was made". (John 1:3). In making man, He said, "Let US make man in Our image after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). The Trinity is a small group.
After creating man, he was found to be incomplete until a woman came into the scene. Man is like the Godhead in this respect. He is at his best as a small group called family.
After founding the family unit in Genesis 2:18-24, God moved on to recognize the extended family. In saving Noah’s family, he and his wife, his sons and their wives were all saved. (Genesis 7:7).
In the New Testament, upon being born-again, a believer becomes a host to the Holy Spirit. A Representative of the Trinity comes to live within. This makes every believer a group even when single! (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Ephesians 4:4-6. There are 7 Ones in these verses:
One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” Psalm 133:1
Beyond this, we are all members of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-6. “You are called to belong, not just believe” (Rick Warren).
Principle 2: Loners are losers; networkers are net winners.
Two are better than one, because together they can work effectively.
If one of them falls down, the other can help him up….
Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone.
A rope made of three cords is hard to break. Ecclesiastes 4:9 TEV
Life is not for loners. Life is like a symphony. “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it”. H.E. Luccock.
There are gifts deposited in each of us that require other people’s input for us to maximize output and reach our utmost potential. How do humans develop? A baby is deposited into a loving family to groom and develop. Then he leaves for school to receive other inputs from other adults outside the family. He develops friends who also help shape his mind and hone his skills. He joins clubs, churches and associations where he learns more of life’s lessons. He gets married, linking up with another human to go through the battles of life. He becomes a parent, starting the cycle all over again.
Principle 3: Fellowship is God’s home address.
There are 2 addresses for the Almighty on earth: the praises of his people and fellowship. God inhabits the praises of His people and He also inhabits their coming together. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst”. Matthew 18:20. Internet church can never fully duplicate a local church. Where is “their midst” when you attend an internet church? Is God sitting on a server somewhere? You miss God when you miss church.
Principle 4: Tough times never last; group people do.
“If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” Ecclesiastes 9:10.
There comes a time in life when we all need the assistance of some other person to come along and help through adversity. Visions often need platforms but platforms are easier for those who have linked up with other people.
Barriers to Group Dynamics
Pride Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6. “Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we”. (Unknown). The following are barriers to benefitting from any group: competitive spirit, un-forgiveness, impatience, lack of vision and direction, too quick to judge (Matthew 1:7), mis-communication, gossip and tale bearing, immaturity in love (1 Corinthians 14:20).
Benefits of the Group
1. Group effort is the most powerful building tool in the history of creation. The tower of Babel demonstrates the power of many people working as one. Genesis 11:6. “The locusts have no King, yet go they forth all of them by bands” Proverbs 30:27. The acronym, TEAM, means Together Everyone Achieves More. One locust is easily destroyed by one person but a swarm of locust made Pharaoh to ask God for mercy (Psalms 78:46, Exodus 10:14-15, Joel 2:25)
2. Leverage. “How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up?” Deuteronomy 32:30. In this equation, 1 = 1000 but 2 = 10000. Teams share the burden and divide the grief.
- Doug Smith
3. The impossible becomes possible when individuals within a group are prepared to sacrifice for the common good. When a swarm of locusts reach a river, they search for the bank for a likely spot to cross, then fearlessly cast themselves upon the water where they form floating islands of insects, most of which usually succeed in getting to the opposite bank, though many perish in the attempt. Goals are almost always achievable for the group as long as necessary sacrifices are made by some of the members. “There is no I in Teamwork”. (Unknown).
4. Every minister needs a support. “If you don’t kick things around with people, you are out of it. Nobody, I always say, can be anybody without somebody being around”. (John Wheeler). Aaron and Hur supported Moses by lifting up his hands in the battle against Amalek (Exodus 17:10-12). Joshua and Caleb supported the ministry of Moses by declaring a positive report. David and Jonathan were covenant friends. Elisha poured water over Elijah’s hands and served him. Timothy labored with Paul, his mentor. “A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle”. (Japanese proverb).
What to do within a group?
1. Maximize your strength and minimize your weakness. Celebrate diversity. There is a reason our fingers aren’t equal. “You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note”. (Doug Floyd)
2. Act like Christ did within the Godhead (Philippians 2:5-8)
3. Be quick to praise, slow to blame. (James 1:19). “If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, they did it. (Coach Bear Bryant).
4. Lead by serving (Matthew 23:11). “Wearing the same shirts doesn’t make a team”. (Buchholz and Roth). Don’t be neutral. Be committed. Someone wrote this poem:
There was a very cautious man Who never laughed or played. He never risked, he never tried, He never sang or prayed. And when he one day passed away, His insurance was denied. For since he never really lived, They claimed he never really died.
5. Be tenderhearted (Philippians 2:2-4, 1 Peter 3:8).
6. Be adaptable. (1 Corinthian 9:22).
7. Avoid strive (2 Timothy 2:24, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11).
8. Always act in love (John 13:35, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Cor 12:25-26).
9. Sow accord so God does not hate you. (Proverbs 6:16-19).
10. Find common ground (Amos 3:3). A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way. (Swahili proverb).
Conclusion
John 17:11, 21-23
“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are on”.
“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”.
The standard for our group formation is not the country club goal of tolerating each other. This is not a call for some form of affirmative action on unity. We are to be one in our group just as Christ is one with the Father. It is not simply putting up with people so we can fulfill some selfish ambition. It’s not using people in the name of the Lord. It’s being inter-dependent on others within the Body to the extent we are willing to lay down our lives for them just as Christ laid down his for us. It’s not lip service; it’s life service. “And all who believed were united and they had everything in common” Acts 2:45.
When we function as God wants us to, miracles and spectacular testimonies will abound, millions will be saved, prayer venues will be shaken, no one will go to bed hungry among us and the Lord will be glorified. I believe a people in these last days can come together in such a kindred spirit that God will take note of them just as He noticed the people who came together to build the Towel Babel. We saw a glimpse of this in the Acts of Apostles when many wonders were accomplished because the brethren were in one accord. May you and I be willing and available in the day of His power, Amen.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Understanding the Body of Christ
If you are born-again, you are automatically a member of the body of Christ. It is important that every member of the Body of Christ has some understanding of the significance, benefits, privileges and responsibilities of this most important membership. Our lack of discernment leads to certain patterns of behavior. This in turn may lead to weakness, sickness and death. 1 Corinthians 11:30 (Amplified Bible).
Advantages of discerning the body
The book of the Acts of Apostles provides insights into the unique benefits of discerning the body. This was the time when “all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met” Acts 2: 44-45. In other words, no one lacked. If we practice this in our local churches, no one will go to bed hungry while another church member has food at home. No one will be homeless while another member has a spare room.
“The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." Acts 4:32, 34-35. Not surprisingly, when such believers pray, venues shake. Oneness of the pew impacts the power of the pulpit. “They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter's shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed” Acts 5:15-16. When members of a local church are in unity, signs and wonders will be commonplace. When they are not, weakness, sickness and death prevail. This principle is so important the devil used it in getting enraged people to stone Steven.
The modern day church is weak because it does not practice love as described in the Bible. We barely tolerate each other. This attitude is hurting us more than any other. Compare your life with the following counsel: “Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Romans 12:13, 17-18.
The Biblical standard of oneness among brethren is so high we are not encouraged to take another member to court for any reason! 1 Corinthians 6:1. A believer is admonished to love his enemies; how much more fellow believers. My beloved Christian, I am not advocating some mysterious doctrine. “If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Philippians 2:1-2.
The Strategy of Satan
When there is division, plans cannot succeed. Dreams do not come through. Visions are lost. Power dissipates. The enemy gains a foothold. Our fellowship is powerless and routine. There is no evidence of divine presence. This is the reason Satan does everything he can to cause division among Christians. Luke 11:17, 18. When Christians are united, nothing can prevail against them. You can build anything with unity; you can destroy anything without it. When mankind came together to build the Tower of Babel, listen to what God said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language…now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them” (Gen 11:6). This is God’s assessment of mankind in unity. May it become His assessment of our gatherings in Jesus' name. Amen.
Caveats
You are not called to be clones of each other. That is uniformity which means to look alike, talk alike, and behave alike. You lose your identity and personality. This is not what the Bible advocates. The Apostles were all different personalities which impacted on the way they carried out their ministries. You are called to be unified with other believers. Unification means you share a common purpose and a set of objectives while maintaining your unique personality and identity.
The Greatest Sign of a Disciple
Disciples behave like their master. A disciple of Prophet Mohammed will exhibit violence just as his master did. How are the disciples of Christ identified? Is it by their wealth? Boldness? Speaking in tongues? Great miracles and healings? No. The Lord Jesus said, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other” John 13:35. The more we act in love, the more like Jesus we become. The closest disciple to Jesus was John the Apostle. He wrote extensively about love in 1st John. If you do not love the brethren, you are either not born again or you are a very poor reflection of your Master.
“The way we know we've been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn't love is as good as dead. This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. 1 John 3:14, 16-17.
“The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. 1 John 4:8
Love as Jesus loved
Jesus said: "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”(John 15:9-12). This is not natural love. You can’t will it. It is unconditional. It is supernatural. God has deposited this agape love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We yield to the Holy Spirit in order to release this love into the world around us. In other words, you love by faith. Many of us are unlovable in the natural. Loving the lovable is easy. Loving the unlovable is challenging. Our imperfections, faults and weaknesses rub off on others negatively. Without God’s help, it is impossible to love others as you should.
Note that faith and love are intertwined. You cannot love as Jesus loves without faith. However, without love, you cannot practice faith because faith works by love. Galatians 5:6. When you come across difficult believers, ask the Holy Spirit to love them through you by faith. As you do this your faith will grow in leaps and bounds.
Practical Issues
No believer should have an unmet need when there’s another believer who can meet that need. No believer should starve when you have food. No believer should be homeless when you have a house. No believer should have difficulty getting around when other brethren have cars. No believer should be lonely in the presence church members.
In 1765 John Fawsett was called to pastor a very small congregation in England. He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life. Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship. Then Dr. Fawcett received an offer from a much larger church in London. As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye and pleaded with him to reconsider. Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep. Finally Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, "O John, I just can’t bear this. They need us so badly here." "God has spoken to my heart, too!" he said. "Tell them to unload the wagon! We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship." This experience inspired Fawsett to write the hymn, “Blessed be the tie that binds”.
The Great Mystery
God presented Eve to the first Adam. When Adam saw her, he exclaimed:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24.
Sometime in the future, God will present a bride to the last Adam, Jesus Christ. “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man (Christ) shall leave his father (God the Father) and mother (God the Spirit) and be joined to his wife (Church), and the two (Christ+Church) shall become one flesh (Bride). This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:30-31.
The Godhead is made up of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one. They created man in Genesis 1:26 “in our image, after our likeness”. This means that from the beginning, the Godhead had plans to bring man into oneness with the Trinity. On the last day, the body of Christ (Church) shall become one with the Head thereby fulfilling the original goal set forth in Genesis 1:26.
God spoke in the Old Testament mainly through the prophets. He is speaking in the last days through the Son. However, in the last chapter of the Bible, God shall speak through the Spirit and the Church. Why? Because the Bride has become one with her husband, the Lord Jesus. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17. This is man in God’s image, after His likeness.
This is an answer to the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me”.
This is what the Bible means when it says that “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7. God is Love. He is Grace personified. He wants to show the limitless boundary of His grace by lifting man from the depths of depravity to oneness with Him.
Prayer:
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 5:14-19.
Advantages of discerning the body
The book of the Acts of Apostles provides insights into the unique benefits of discerning the body. This was the time when “all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met” Acts 2: 44-45. In other words, no one lacked. If we practice this in our local churches, no one will go to bed hungry while another church member has food at home. No one will be homeless while another member has a spare room.
“The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." Acts 4:32, 34-35. Not surprisingly, when such believers pray, venues shake. Oneness of the pew impacts the power of the pulpit. “They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter's shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed” Acts 5:15-16. When members of a local church are in unity, signs and wonders will be commonplace. When they are not, weakness, sickness and death prevail. This principle is so important the devil used it in getting enraged people to stone Steven.
The modern day church is weak because it does not practice love as described in the Bible. We barely tolerate each other. This attitude is hurting us more than any other. Compare your life with the following counsel: “Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Romans 12:13, 17-18.
The Biblical standard of oneness among brethren is so high we are not encouraged to take another member to court for any reason! 1 Corinthians 6:1. A believer is admonished to love his enemies; how much more fellow believers. My beloved Christian, I am not advocating some mysterious doctrine. “If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Philippians 2:1-2.
The Strategy of Satan
When there is division, plans cannot succeed. Dreams do not come through. Visions are lost. Power dissipates. The enemy gains a foothold. Our fellowship is powerless and routine. There is no evidence of divine presence. This is the reason Satan does everything he can to cause division among Christians. Luke 11:17, 18. When Christians are united, nothing can prevail against them. You can build anything with unity; you can destroy anything without it. When mankind came together to build the Tower of Babel, listen to what God said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language…now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them” (Gen 11:6). This is God’s assessment of mankind in unity. May it become His assessment of our gatherings in Jesus' name. Amen.
Caveats
You are not called to be clones of each other. That is uniformity which means to look alike, talk alike, and behave alike. You lose your identity and personality. This is not what the Bible advocates. The Apostles were all different personalities which impacted on the way they carried out their ministries. You are called to be unified with other believers. Unification means you share a common purpose and a set of objectives while maintaining your unique personality and identity.
The Greatest Sign of a Disciple
Disciples behave like their master. A disciple of Prophet Mohammed will exhibit violence just as his master did. How are the disciples of Christ identified? Is it by their wealth? Boldness? Speaking in tongues? Great miracles and healings? No. The Lord Jesus said, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other” John 13:35. The more we act in love, the more like Jesus we become. The closest disciple to Jesus was John the Apostle. He wrote extensively about love in 1st John. If you do not love the brethren, you are either not born again or you are a very poor reflection of your Master.
“The way we know we've been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn't love is as good as dead. This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. 1 John 3:14, 16-17.
“The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. 1 John 4:8
Love as Jesus loved
Jesus said: "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”(John 15:9-12). This is not natural love. You can’t will it. It is unconditional. It is supernatural. God has deposited this agape love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We yield to the Holy Spirit in order to release this love into the world around us. In other words, you love by faith. Many of us are unlovable in the natural. Loving the lovable is easy. Loving the unlovable is challenging. Our imperfections, faults and weaknesses rub off on others negatively. Without God’s help, it is impossible to love others as you should.
Note that faith and love are intertwined. You cannot love as Jesus loves without faith. However, without love, you cannot practice faith because faith works by love. Galatians 5:6. When you come across difficult believers, ask the Holy Spirit to love them through you by faith. As you do this your faith will grow in leaps and bounds.
Practical Issues
No believer should have an unmet need when there’s another believer who can meet that need. No believer should starve when you have food. No believer should be homeless when you have a house. No believer should have difficulty getting around when other brethren have cars. No believer should be lonely in the presence church members.
In 1765 John Fawsett was called to pastor a very small congregation in England. He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life. Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship. Then Dr. Fawcett received an offer from a much larger church in London. As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye and pleaded with him to reconsider. Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep. Finally Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, "O John, I just can’t bear this. They need us so badly here." "God has spoken to my heart, too!" he said. "Tell them to unload the wagon! We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship." This experience inspired Fawsett to write the hymn, “Blessed be the tie that binds”.
The Great Mystery
God presented Eve to the first Adam. When Adam saw her, he exclaimed:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24.
Sometime in the future, God will present a bride to the last Adam, Jesus Christ. “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man (Christ) shall leave his father (God the Father) and mother (God the Spirit) and be joined to his wife (Church), and the two (Christ+Church) shall become one flesh (Bride). This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:30-31.
The Godhead is made up of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one. They created man in Genesis 1:26 “in our image, after our likeness”. This means that from the beginning, the Godhead had plans to bring man into oneness with the Trinity. On the last day, the body of Christ (Church) shall become one with the Head thereby fulfilling the original goal set forth in Genesis 1:26.
God spoke in the Old Testament mainly through the prophets. He is speaking in the last days through the Son. However, in the last chapter of the Bible, God shall speak through the Spirit and the Church. Why? Because the Bride has become one with her husband, the Lord Jesus. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17. This is man in God’s image, after His likeness.
This is an answer to the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me”.
This is what the Bible means when it says that “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7. God is Love. He is Grace personified. He wants to show the limitless boundary of His grace by lifting man from the depths of depravity to oneness with Him.
Prayer:
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 5:14-19.
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