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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/9/2008 3:56:54 AM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: nikkik
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.
False prophets are like wolves, i.e. they try to separate the weaker sheep from the flock and take them away from the place of safety in order to bring them down and destroy them. Any teaching or person who deliberately sets out to lead members away from a good Gospel preaching church should be treated with extreme caution.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/9/2008 1:53:13 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/9/2008 4:12:41 AM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
It is as the oil. It is as the dew.
This reminds me of blessing (oil) and refreshing (dew). Dwelling together, i.e. meeting together, working together, praying together, worshiping together, etc should be a time of 'blessing' and 'refreshing' in the Holy Spirit. Unity amongst the brethren is 'precious'.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
......unity is not something we do......
I agree LL - unity is not something we do. The Psalm says unity is precious and the texts below suggest that it is also something which Christians have to "make every effort to keep" (maintain):
Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
......It is the reality of those who are His.......
Precious.
Thank you LL. L1
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/9/2008 2:23:42 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/9/2008 7:59:52 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3424
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From: my mom by God
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My pastor said...I love you all...just some of you are easier to love than others.
No love no unity...and its my opinion what has divided more christians than any other thing is...pride. Its my way. Its my belief. Its the way we have always done it. I believe this part of the bible...but not that.
Our purpose is not to set up churches ( cliques ). Its not to have bbq's and excellent donuts. Its not to have the blue carpet...or the red one. Its not to sing to a certain melody or beat.
Its to love God with all our hearts and to love one another.
Everything....else....is...fluff.
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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? - 9/9/2008 9:42:00 AM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
......No love no unity......
Very good point SonInMe1 - thank you.
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Some examples of a loving attitude towards our brethren which can help in our efforts to keep unity from being harmed/disrupted:
+'s:
Patient - displays patience with one another.
Kind - thinks kind thoughts towards one another. Demonstrates acts of kindness towards each other.
Rejoices with the truth - likes to see justice prevail.
Protects - comes to it's brethren's aid.
Always trusts - doesn't think badly of another.
Always hopes - sees (with the eyes of faith) what another can become by the grace of God.
Always perseveres - doesn't give up (including not giving up on our brethren who may often exasperate or disappoint us).
-'s:
Not envious - not jealous of another gifts. Encourages others to develop their gifts and talents in the Lord.
Not proud - doesn't congratulate themselves on their knowledge. Doesn't think we are better/more special than our brethren.
Not rude - resists the temptation to make a remark(s) which will embarrass our brethren because we feel threatened by them.
Not self-seeking - puts others before ourselves.
Not easily angered - submits to the Holy Spirit in situations which could so easily get out of control.
Does not keep a record of wrongs - chooses not to remember the negative or hurtful situations it may have endured.
Does not delight in evil - will not enjoy hearing 'gossip' about another or take secret pleasure in another's fall.
P.S. this does not only apply to our relationships with our Christian brethren - it should work out the way to others who don't know the Lord.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/9/2008 2:14:01 PM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/13/2008 9:52:27 AM
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iamjc-s
Posts: 358
Joined: 8/1/2007
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by breaking down the walls of division including denominations.
As Don Fransico sings, there isn't a Baptist sitting on the throne or a Methodist calling us home ... (or any other for Christ is God's son,
not part of 1 denomination).
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/13/2008 11:57:46 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 1455
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quote:
ORIGINAL: iamjc-s
by breaking down the walls of division including denominations.
As Don Fransico sings, there isn't a Baptist sitting on the throne or a Methodist calling us home ... (or any other for Christ is God's son,
not part of 1 denomination).
Good point.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/13/2008 1:41:16 PM
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makarizo
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I think Romans 12 gives crystal clear instruction of how to conduct ourselves, and get along.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/13/2008 1:59:56 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: makarizo
I think Romans 12 gives crystal clear instruction of how to conduct ourselves, and get along.
Thanks makarizo
Here's the link folks: Romans Chapter 12
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/14/2008 1:19:00 PM
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LivingParadox
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Maybe a practical step to unity is being the first to reach out. (Not necessarily agree but to continue the conversation)
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/16/2008 3:20:19 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 1455
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
Maybe a practical step to unity is being the first to reach out. (Not necessarily agree but to continue the conversation)
Thanks LP.
Whilst Christians may not always agree (nothing new under the sun, e.g. the disciples and Paul had these same problems in their day), we need to exercise wisdom and discernment to know when to speak, when to keep silent or when to completely refrain in conversation(s). Often keeping conversations going just for the sake of it (or to prove a point) is definately not the right thing to do but if we are depending on the Holy Spirit and not our own flesh, then He will prompt us aright.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/16/2008 9:04:09 AM >
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/16/2008 7:04:13 AM
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growingseed
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We have to agree that Jesus is the foundation which everything else is built on, and that only those who have been chosen are able to build on this rock, also that we are vines and the root of this tree is again Jesus who is the author of all that is given us through him from the father.
If we were a baseball team we all agree to the above statement, and that a first baseperson is going to have a different perspective then a left fielder, and that a catcher will see things different from their perspective, we are not all the same part of the body, each person will be shown life to which their are being molded to fit. That is what makes us the same and different, that is why we love each other, and that is what makes us different from the world. Jesus.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/16/2008 10:55:35 AM
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Liveloved
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quote:
We have to agree that Jesus is the foundation which everything else is built on, and that only those who have been chosen are able to build on this rock, also that we are vines and the root of this tree is again Jesus who is the author of all that is given us through him from the father.
If we were a baseball team we all agree to the above statement, and that a first baseperson is going to have a different perspective then a left fielder, and that a catcher will see things different from their perspective, we are not all the same part of the body, each person will be shown life to which their are being molded to fit. That is what makes us the same and different, that is why we love each other, and that is what makes us different from the world. Jesus.
Amen, growingseed. Your words are so important. Yes, the body of Christ is made up of many members. Some are 'less seemly' as the NASB puts it. Do we really understand this? Do we ask the Lord to teach us, show us, lead us and allow Him to live this out through us?
In another thread someone referred to Christian clones and I think that is a very good term for what we often see in the church. It is not as God willed or desires.
Each person, member, has distinct gifts and abilities and REASONS for being in the body. It is our responsibility to appreciate, love and allow to grow and flourish all of the members so that the body is fully functioning and a beautiful organism, the very life of Christ on earth. His desire, my prayer. Amen.
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RE: How can Christians dwell together in unity? - 9/17/2008 1:23:18 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 1455
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quote:
ORIGINAL: growingseed
......We have to agree that Jesus is the foundation which everything else is built on......
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
Each person, member, has distinct gifts and abilities and REASONS for being in the body. It is our responsibility to appreciate, love and allow to grow and flourish all of the members so that the body is fully functioning and a beautiful organism, the very life of Christ on earth. His desire, my prayer. Amen.
Amen
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