Friday: Further Thought – Key to Unity
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “The Spirit of Unity”, pages 179-188, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or creed. The scribes and Pharisees desired to make a local and a national benefit of all the gifts of heaven and to exclude the rest of God’s family in the world. But Christ came to break down every wall of partition. He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth.
The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No question of policy influenced His movements. He made no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the waters of life.” – Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pages 190, 191.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary: In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul gives many counsels regarding what it means for Christians to be “in Christ.” Salvation in Jesus transforms our lives in practical ways. All our human relationships, including relations between brothers and sisters in the church, are transformed by the power of Christ in our lives. And this transformation is crucial in order for us to have unity.
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Unity is a goal to be reached. Sad to say it may not be on this side of heaven. We are living in a world that celebrates freedom of speech and a free lifestyle. We can only come to unity when we denounce worldly living and embrace the lifestyle of Jesus Christ.
I think this article - as wells as the lessons - is helpful. However, I believe we 'chase' an earthly goal that is unobtainable - like perfection. Search "LDE: unity"
1. What do you see in Ephesians 4 that points to the unity of the church? What can we do to help ensure that unity?
Being meek and lowly of heart, faithful to the will of God, and being filled with the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith.
2. How can we learn this humility and submission?
Repent and believe the Gospel, being born again, taking Jesus' yoke upon us. These are the remedies Jesus offers.
3. How can we have unity even when we don’t always agree on everything?
By finding agreement in the revelation of God's will, seeking this above our own ideas and opinions. There will be no unity otherwise. In a word: submission to the will of the Lord. It is this Truth that will sanctify the soul, as Jesus prayed.
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. Ephesians 4:1-3.
Lets look at that word prisoner. In knowing Paul from other passages. I do believe Paul was being metaphoric to emphasize the need to have a close relationship with Christ('a prisonior of Christ', is expressing one thing in a term normally denotating another). That is not the main point, Paul wants us to garner. PAUL wants us, inspired by the Holy Spirit to know what it is to be a genuine Seventh-day-Adventist. Then he continues to instruct the basics of being fruitful. Doing the will of God. Which is reflection of our relationship of Christ. Am I saying we are mere simply reflectors. No, we are also doers of the word, if we condsider our- selves Christians. James 1:21-25. Epheasians 4. In a nut shell.