Friday, September 25, 2009
unity
Isaiah 46:10 "My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." As I read thru Eph. 4, it is clear that unity in the body of Christ is part of God's purpose. In verse 15-16 I see that it is truth and love that brings unity and immaturity that works against it. Many, many years ago when I went thru pre-marriage counseling, we learned that the closer we got to Jesus, the closer we would get to each other. I have found this to be so true. I love the picture in Psalm 68 of everyone coming together in victory and praise for our awesome God!
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You nailed it, Terriann!
ReplyDeleteEvery day I practice building unity in the bond of peace with Mr. Crabby and get lots of grace. Jesus gives the grace to Mr. Crabby and Mr. Crabby passes it on to me. Sometimes, though less frequently, Jesus gives me the grace to pass to Mr. Crabby!
Hey Terriann -
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about this? This morning I read Romans 12 where Paul says,
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
I like to show off and when I try to be cute or smart, I drive people away. It sure doesn't build unity of the body of Christ!
But my happiest times have been when I've either appreciated or helped identify someone else's gift. When we can't see a talent God has given us or are just plain afraid to use it, someone else's faithful encouragement and exhortation can coax it out. That contributes to the unity of the body, I think.
Thanks for providing a place to share our faith.
You have a great, day girlfriend!
Wednesday's thoughts on boasting and yesterday's on unity seem to go together. When we can receive acceptance and love from God, we are then able to freely give it to others. Just imagine if we were all able to be in this place all the time! My sinful nature always thinks first, "whats in it for me?" I really wish it was not this way. I wish that for once I would think of the other person first. I guess the fact that I think of the other person at all is a start. Lord help me.
ReplyDeleteI think I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteThinking of someone else is a lot like waking from a dream. Suddenly you're aware of a real world around you with real people. Dangerous people, because unlike my dream world where I control everything, I now see I am in a position to get hurt or even killed. That's when I really see my need for Christ. He's been through it all and can show me how to keep reaching out to others despite the pain.
Have a great day, Terriann!