The Unity of the Faith

Ephesians 4 : 11 – 13, And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ… -NKJV

Psalm 133 : 1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! -NKJV

It is God’s will that Christians learn to live in unity with one another. The Lord has directed me to share two scriptures that speak about unity in the church. Through these, we can see the importance that God places on us coming into the unity of the faith.  

If it is God’s will that all believers in Christ come into the unity of the faith, why is it so difficult for us to accomplish it? We must remember that we have an adversary, the devil, which seeks to stir up strife and division among believers so that we don’t unify. One of the most effective ways that Satan uses to divide us is through us focusing on our differences.  

God made every person different for a reason. God loves variety in every aspect of His creation, including humans. No two people have the same thumb print. While God celebrates differences, Satan promotes sameness or conformity. You must submit to the dictates of the world and alter who God made you to be as a person before the world accepts you.

Jesus doesn’t tell us that we have to lose our individuality before we can be saved. By contrast, if you want to be accepted by the world, you must surrender your uniqueness from God. Sameness or conformity has nothing to do with achieving unity but has everything to do with controlling people.

You may ask why Satan and the world are set against unity, especially when it comes to Christians. God can work powerfully through believers in Christ who live in unity. God commands His blessing on His people who live in unity according to Psalm 133.

Satan, our adversary, fights us so that we won’t allow ourselves to be unified when it comes to things that pertain to God and His Word. The enemy will use our differences to divide us so that we are weaker in our fight against him.

Paul teaches in Ephesians 4 that it is the Lord who ordained five-fold ministries within the New Testament Church. Since God has made a distinction between those who are called to minister and those who are called to hear them, Satan is constantly trying to stir up strife between us. As Christians, we must overcome any spiritual attack that would cause division within church fellowships.  

Instead of viewing ministers as being different and against us, we should see them as God has set them to be in the church. Ministers have been placed by the Lord as shepherds who protect the flock of God.

If we view those who lead us as individuals who must answer to God for our well-being, this leadership should cause us to have a burden to pray for them. We need each other or God wouldn’t have designed us this way. To overcome the things that divide us, including Satan, let us focus on the One who unifies us, Christ Jesus!

Pastor Asa Dockery


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Friday, but Sunday is Coming

  Copy & paste this link into an email or instant message Or send the suggestion using your computer's email softwareEmail Blog to a friend 1 Corinthians 15 : 22 - 26, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. NKJV The validity of the entire Bible rests upon one event... the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul uses different terminology; nevertheless, the sentiment is the same. If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and our faith is also empty (or in vain.) Let's take this discussion to a deeper level. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proved that He
Read more

A Rightful Heir

Roman 8 : 14 – 17, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NKJV The Word of God declares that the promises of God in Christ are yes and amen. Do you have a need in your life? Have you sought the Lord for a while to have that particular need supplied? The Holy Spirit has given me a specific word to share with you today that you might have faith in your heart to receive your long awaited miracle or breakthrough. As human beings, who are recovering from the fall of man and learning how to live and operate in our new identity, we sometimes struggle with our faith when it pertains to us personall
Read more

Caught Up in the Moment

Romans 12 : 1 – 2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - NKJV Luke 10 : 40 – 42, But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." - NKJV There’s nothing like watching children play with their new toys on Christmas morning. The excitement level in our sons would increase as the moment to open the gifts drew closer. Finally, the moment arrived, and the
Read more