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How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 11:51:40 AM
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Little_1
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Psalm 133:1-3
1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
There are times in life when we don't always see 'eye-to-eye' with another / or others of our Christian brethren. In such times, what do you do to encourage or maintain peace and unity with the brother(s) or sister(s) who disagrees strongly with you? Is 'ignoring' the only option or are there other ways of restoring and maintaining relationships and unity, i.e. how can Christians dwell together in unity as this Psalm depicts?
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/7/2008 12:16:10 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 12:58:40 PM
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mvic
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Sorry to give you a pat answer.
When I don't see eye to eye with someone else on something major (thankfully this has rarely happened) then either he's wrong or I am. The only solution I find is through prayer. I pray that either he comes to realise he is wrong, or I do.
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MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 2:01:44 PM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
Psalm 133:1-3
1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
There are times in life when we don't always see 'eye-to-eye' with another / or others of our Christian brethren. In such times, what do you do to encourage or maintain peace and unity with the brother(s) or sister(s) who disagrees strongly with you? Is 'ignoring' the only option or are there other ways of restoring and maintaining relationships and unity, i.e. how can Christians dwell together in unity as this Psalm depicts?
The only way that spiritual unity is possible is if all are abiding in Jesus, who then conforms us into His image. The reason there are divisions amongst are because some follow Paul and others follow Peter, instead of being led by Christ. That, and the fact that we forget that we are all children, and there are some things that we just are not ready for yet. We cannot expect all Christians to be at the same place in their walk.
As far as getting along with those we disagree with, that is the same as it is for non-Christians. Good manners and respect for others are positive attributes of all of mankind, but I should hope even more so among those who call themselves Christians.
Peace
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"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 2:38:36 PM
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LivingParadox
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Christian Unity is agreeing that God's word is the standard when we disagree. Unity isn't necessarily agreeing to agree but agreeing to disagree with love. Truthfully looking out for each other's best interest and caring.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 2:50:19 PM
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Little_1
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This is what the Lord prayed concerning His children:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (Jn. 17:20-23).
Christian unity can have an impact on non believers according to what is highlighted above.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 3:31:23 PM
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rcjames
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It would seem to me that dwelling together in Christianity is agreeing on the things "Salvic", but have the freedom to esercise our differences on theings not Salvic.
God made individuals and he called individuals out of darkness into the light; those of us that come into the light are not (I repeat are not going) to be clones of each other;
If we as a group are called out of darkness into the light and respond and are accepted; then we agree on all things Salvic; so the trimmings do not matter to me or to Christ.
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 4:18:51 PM
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mvic
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Hi Little 1,
I learnt a long time ago that women are never wrong.
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Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 5:05:29 PM
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LivingParadox
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On things that are subjective, you think "red" is the best color and I think "blue" ....which one is right? It's subjective. On subjective things we can disagree. And like you said about theology it can get a little gray on these matters but agreeing to disagee on things that do not contradict God's word is just something we do. I think each person conscience dictates these kinds of isues after truly seeking what God say about the matter.
On primary tenets -- Jesus is the Son of God while also man, Jesus is the only way, etc. We have to stand firm. Utity is based in God's Word.
< Message edited by LivingParadox -- 9/7/2008 9:29:51 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 5:24:54 PM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
Unity is based in God's Word.
Then why are even those who agree that the Word is our standard, not united?
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 7:15:54 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
Unity is based in God's Word.
Then why are even those who agree that the Word is our standard, not united?
Peace
I do think the vast majority are united on all things salvic.
Are you looking for clones of one another?
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 8:06:22 PM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
Unity is based in God's Word.
Then why are even those who agree that the Word is our standard, not united?
Peace
I do think the vast majority are united on all things salvic.
Are you looking for clones of one another?
Thanks
RC
Quite the opposite...Clones are what we already have. Those who are unified on anything within the vast majority are, in truth, the minority.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 8:47:57 PM
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SonInMe1
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Unity is not based upon the agreement of facts.
Unity is only found in faith and love. Faith in the same Lord and love coming from the Lord and going through you to others.
Only in faith and love can we be united in our goals to serve Christ the best way we were made to do. ( Ephesians 2:10 )
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 8:55:43 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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I find that there are "safe places" for people to disagree and places where it is not safe to disagree, but I will never understand why it is unsafe for disagreement to occur between believers. Why is that?
Why do believers think that, in order to get along, we must all agree on things that are not essential to salvation? For some examples, using things I have actually heard believers fuss about until they parted(!) with no intention of any further relationship:
- Your place of worship has red carpet; mine has blue.
- You wear a Star of David religiously; I wear Precious Feet religiously.
- You don't think women should wear pants; I wear them.
- You don't go to sports events; I am free to do so.
- You don't drink wine; I would if I could.
- You don't think women should cut their hair; I keep mine short.
- You don't eat meat; I eat meat.
- You worship on Sunday; I worship on Sabbath.
- You have read the Bible straight through, from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:20; I have not read it in that manner.
- You are KJV only; I am not.
-- The list could go on and on, and none of these are salvific at all! Yet people will part over them, never to fellowship again. It's sad.
We believers, of all people, should be able to have minor differences and continue on as friends. No, we should not accept one who claims to be a believer who is adulterous, a scammer, an abuser, a thief, etc. But when something is not named in the Scriptures as sin, we should have the common sense and common decency to just let it go!
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/7/2008 9:31:42 PM
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LivingParadox
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
Unity is based in God's Word.
Then why are even those who agree that the Word is our standard, not united?
Peace
I think those that responded to your question summed it up pretty well.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 1:30:53 PM
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Little_1
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RC James makes a good point - God has not called us to be clones of one another! God works through our individual personalities. No two of us are exactly the same. However, we can learn to 'think' more similar by having our minds renewed to that of the mind of Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24
22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/8/2008 1:49:55 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 2:04:57 PM
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Little_1
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Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
We are required to respect people in authority over us in the Church (and you could say that includes those over us onsite) and how we respond to being corrected by a brother or sister in Christ who is overseer of us also impacts on our unity with such. How we handle it and what we do about it can either build our relationship with that other person or break it.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 2:56:35 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Quite the opposite...Clones are what we already have. Those who are unified on anything within the vast majority are, in truth, the minority.
Well that little bit of wordsmithing is far beyond this ole boys ability.
I am saying that most evangelicals agee on all theing salvic, and the things that we differ on are just not important to what really matters.
I maintain that not even Paul and Peter agreed on everything; but they certainly were Brothers in Christ.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 3:32:24 PM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Quite the opposite...Clones are what we already have. Those who are unified on anything within the vast majority are, in truth, the minority.
Well that little bit of wordsmithing is far beyond this ole boys ability.
I am saying that most evangelicals agee on all theing salvic, and the things that we differ on are just not important to what really matters.
Thanks
RC
And I am saying that I disagree...guess that puts me in the minority.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 3:51:58 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5576
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From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Quite the opposite...Clones are what we already have. Those who are unified on anything within the vast majority are, in truth, the minority.
Well that little bit of wordsmithing is far beyond this ole boys ability.
I am saying that most evangelicals agee on all theing salvic, and the things that we differ on are just not important to what really matters.
Thanks
RC
And I am saying that I disagree...guess that puts me in the minority.
Peace
So you are saying that to live in unity that two folks must agree on everything from music style, speaking in tongues, how often to go to Church, and what day etc. etc.
I do not think that there are two folks on the planet earth that are totally in agreement on everyt little detail of our Faith.
Thsnks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 3:54:44 PM
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URForgiven
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Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Quite the opposite...Clones are what we already have. Those who are unified on anything within the vast majority are, in truth, the minority.
Well that little bit of wordsmithing is far beyond this ole boys ability.
I am saying that most evangelicals agee on all theing salvic, and the things that we differ on are just not important to what really matters.
Thanks
RC
And I am saying that I disagree...guess that puts me in the minority.
Peace
So you are saying that to live in unity that two folks must agree on everything from music style, speaking in tongues, how often to go to Church, and what day etc. etc.
I do not think that there are two folks on the planet earth that are totally in agreement on everyt little detail of our Faith.
Thsnks
RC
Nope, that's not what I am saying.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 5:24:11 PM
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nikkik
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Personally, I think that the major reason for disunity is the false doctrines/false prophets that get into the church and try to deceive even God's elect. There's a lot of stuff out there than can be confusing to anyone. But I believe we can overcome such by prayer, God's Word, and sound teaching if we ask God to give us ears to hear. And experience too.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/8/2008 7:04:00 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1838
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quote:
Psalm 133:1-3
1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
There are times in life when we don't always see 'eye-to-eye' with another / or others of our Christian brethren. In such times, what do you do to encourage or maintain peace and unity with the brother(s) or sister(s) who disagrees strongly with you? Is 'ignoring' the only option or are there other ways of restoring and maintaining relationships and unity, i.e. how can Christians dwell together in unity as this Psalm depicts?
It is as the oil. It is as the dew. Unity is not something we 'do'. It is the reality of those who are His. It is seen. It is present. It is real. It requires a spiritual sense that only comes from being His.
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