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It seems to me, that the concept of unity may be greatly misunderstood in the "church" world today. While I do not pretend to have all the answers on this topic, I do feel that it is one that needs to be studied in depth. Basically; Eph. 4:13 states "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 fullness of Christ. Is this verse really saying (as some would suggest)that at some point in the future all of christiandom will at one time come into unity.(will all believe the same way.) I would contend that this is not at all what this verse is suggesting, taken in context, Eph. 4:13 appears to be speaking of something that was expected to happen while there were still those saints that had not been perfected.(Eph.4:12) (i.e. come to the unity of the faith.) let's go through this verse by verse (These verses will be paraphrased if you disagree with the paraphrase please let me know why and how.)
Eph.4:11 He gave some to be; Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers. The reason for these gifts is explained in the next verse.
Eph.4:12 for the perfecting of Believers, for ministerial work, for the lifting up and building up of the body of Christ,
Notice: the ministry gifts are, according to eph.4:12 for three basic reasons the first one being; the perfecting of the saints or believers. please allow me to ask an introspective question. Are we that have a portion in the ministry gifts actually interested in accomplishing this mandate. To help bring the saints into the perfection or completion in Christ or to put it another way maturity in Christ. This is why the next verse piggy-backs on eph. 4:12
Eph. 4:13 Until we arrive in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect, mature or complete man. Until we measure up to the full stature of Christ.
At some point we need to reach a level of maturity in our walk with God. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Really reach our true potential that Christ made possible in his death on the cross.
Eph. 4:14 That from that point forward we will not be immature children the kind that believe everything they hear, just because it sounds so good coming from someone who seems so smart, they cunningly wait to deceive any they can.
It is very easy to have our ears tickled by someone skilled in speaking, however those who are mature check to see what the spirit would say, no matter how good it sounds. They are not controlled by what other people may say about them.
Eph. 4:15 Rather we should speak truth with love, and grow up in him (Christ) in everything. Because now Jesus Christ is the head or Lord of these.
Someone who has matured should be able to speak the mind of God with perfect love and be able to win others to Christ not drive them away.
When Christ is truly the head I believe we tap into this thing called unity It's less about us agreeing on things, and more about us looking to Christ as the ultimate authority in our lives. What if two people are allowing Christ total control and they disagree on some issue? I believe that these two would not become bitter or in any way hostile toward one another but would still have that level of love and fellowship that really personifies the Body of Christ. But while we may disagree on some points the ultimate goal of the kingdom far supersedes our trivial opinions. Or it should. does it in your life? Can you adamantly disagree with someone and still consider them in word and deed your dear brother or sister? Unity does not come from within ourselves, rather it denotes a true connection between you and your head Jesus Christ. When you are connected to the head and your brother is also connected to the head that's where true unity begins.
Please let me know what you think I'm just a young man searching for the deep things of God Aaron
-------------------- Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name.
Here's a thought from a fellow traveler on this narrow way that leads to life. I've discovered something about unity over the years: that is that man's words tend do divide us. The more we can use The Word without our own words, and phrases, I belive we're on more united road. For example, the word "trinity" isn't in the Word. Why use it then? I don't. "Rapture"...not there...distinguishing gifts as "administrative" or "ministry" again, the scripture doesn't make such divisions (See Rom. 12 & 1 Cor 12). So from one aspect, our words can cause disunity. We are encouraged to all speak the same things and to be of one mind. The more we speak the Word I belive the better off we shall be.
Concerning other facets of unity, I think it's helpful for me to be as Christlike as I can and to be an example to other belivers. Paul instructed Timothy to focus on the Word, follow the example of Paul and to stir up the gifts given to him. There's a fair amount of each of us to concentrate on our own walk, encouraging each other rather than trying to convince each other.
Unity isn't a pretty program. Unity at times may even be a little messy and uncomfortable (because righteousness is!)
Unity begins and ends with the Word. Christ was the word made flesh. If we aim for the word in our speech, thoughts and actions, then we'll be aiming in the same direction. The word tells me to prefer others above myself...to seek peace and pursue it...to speak the truth in love...to forgive and to forbear...for how long: until. Simplistic? You bet! But the Lord Jesus is trying to save as many as possible not exclude as many as possible. If it weren't simple, I'd be lost.
I was listening to a podcast of ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. I especially enjoy another of his regulars at the Roundtable - George Will.
George W could have bowed out as a conservative, refusing to sit with the liberal Clinton's former spokesperson, George S. Instead he comes to the table each week to politely offer opposing views. The net effect: millions hear his ideas.
Keep talking if you are able - to the lost and to other believers in other kinds of churches. If they won't listen, you will have at least, done your part.
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"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." Jn 17,22-23
The ingredient of unity is God's glory. The very "Being God" is what, where, Who, how and why unity is and comes into being to fill all in all. To experience unity, there is no substitute for God's glory. Either one knows or does not know God. It is a completly personal experience between each child and her/his Father, Brother and The Comforting Teacher.
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 Jn 5-10
Unity can only be found in the experience of God's Presence and can only be maintained in our midst by the bond of peace:
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Eph 4,1-6
Spiritual unity in Christ-Jesus is not a practice leading on to a prize, but rather, it is the eternal state of being divine by God's own Holy doing for His good pleasure in me, in you and amongst us. Without God's glory being released in each one of His children, "WE" does not even come close to becoming the reality of "US", the Church!
-------------------- ...all blessings be with us all... Benoit Couture
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