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Discussion Forum : Devotional Thoughts : Keeping the Unity of the Spirit - Sparks

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AbideinHim
Member



Joined: 2006/11/26
Posts: 5185
Louisiana

 Keeping the Unity of the Spirit - Sparks

Strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 AMP)

Oneness in Christ as a Body fitly framed together is what is portrayed. How is this perfect unity reached? By all that is individual and personal being left, by the Lord being the focal center, and by our giving diligence to maintain the unity in that way; keeping all personal things out, and keeping Christ and His interests always in view.... This is not visionary, imaginative, or merely idealistic, it is very practical. You and I will discover that there are working elements of divisiveness, things creeping in amongst us to set us apart. The enemy is always seeking to do that, and the things that rise up to get in between the Lord's people and put up a barrier are countless; a sense of strain and of distance, for example, of discord and of unrelatedness. Sometimes they are more of an abstract character; that is, you can never lay your hand upon them and explain them, and say what they are; it is just a sense of something. Sometimes it is more positive, a distinct and definite misunderstanding, a misinterpretation of something said or done, something laid hold of; and of course, it is always exaggerated by the enemy.

How is that kind of thing to be dealt with in order to keep the unity of the Spirit? Rightly, adequately on this basis alone, by our saying: "This is not to the Lord's interests; this can never be of value to the Lord; this can never be to His glory and satisfaction; this can only mean injury to the Lord." What I may feel in the matter is not the vital consideration. I may even be the wronged party, but am I going to feel wronged and hurt? Am I going to stand on my dignity? Am I going to shut myself up and go away, because I have been wronged? That is how nature would have it, but I must take this attitude: "The Lord stands to lose, the Lord's Name stands to suffer, the Lord's interests are involved in this; I must get on top of this; I must get the better of this; I must shake this thing off and not allow it to affect my attitude, my conduct, my feelings toward this brother or sister!" There must be the putting aside of that which we feel, and even of our rights for the Lord's sake, and a getting on top of this enemy effort to injure the Lord's testimony. That is giving diligence to keep the unity.... Life is by unity, and unity can only adequately be found in Christ being in His place as the One for whom we let go everything that is personal. We might not do it for the sake of anyone else. We might never do it for the sake of the person in view. We do it for His sake, and the enemy is defeated.


By T. Austin-Sparks from: All Things in Christ - Chapter 8


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Mike

 2014/9/13 5:45Profile
dfella
Member



Joined: 2010/7/9
Posts: 295
Canton, Michigan

 Re: Keeping the Unity of the Spirit - Sparks

This is an excellent exhortation and admonishment brother for us to strive to keep the unity of the Spirit. When there is division and discord amongst the body of Christ I literally shudder, whether I am present in person or reading about it.

I was sternly reminded of these words many years ago.

James 3:13-18 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (14) But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Praying that the Lord would bless this exhortation and words to our hearts afresh this day.


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David Fella

 2014/9/13 10:53Profile
AbideinHim
Member



Joined: 2006/11/26
Posts: 5185
Louisiana

 Re:

Excellent scripture that you used brother
that really pins down the source of all
discord and strife. Of course it is the enemy
that stirs it up, but he needs the flesh or
carnal nature of man to work through.

The answer to this is the cross of Christ,
being dead to our own opinions that are
not in agreement with God, and also being
Willing to drop the disagreement for the
sake of the unity of the Spirit. We speak the
truth in love, and as much as possible being
of the Same mind with our brothers and
sisters , remembering the prayer that Jesus
prayed for His disciples for oneness.

Mike


_________________
Mike

 2014/9/13 12:04Profile





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