Sabbath: The Key to Unity
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Read for This Week’s Study: Eph. 1:3-14; Gal. 4:7; Eph. 2:11-22; Eph. 4:1-6, Eph. 4:11; Matt. 20:25-28; Eph. 5:15-6:9.
Memory Text: “Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him” (Ephesians 1:9-10, NKJV).
Ephesus was a major center of commerce and influence in Asia Minor. The church there, in Ephesus, was made up of Jews, Gentiles, and people in all social walks of life. Such a diverse membership might have been as prone to conflicts as the world in which they lived; that is, if it weren’t for Christ and the unity they had in Him as members of the body of Christ. Thus, Paul’s concern for unity among Christ’s followers is the central theme of his Epistle to the Ephesians.
Paul’s concept of unity has two dimensions: unity in the church, where Jews and Gentiles are brought together in one body-Christ; and unity in the universe, in which all things in heaven and earth find their ultimate oneness in Christ.
The source of this unity is Christ. Paul’s expression “in Christ” or “with Christ” is used numerous times in this epistle in order to show what God has accomplished for us and for the universe through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s ultimate purpose in the plan of salvation is to reunify all things through Christ. This unity will be made fully manifest only at the end of the age.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 27.
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I am in a very remote area with limited connectivity this weekend, so I will keep my comment short. Further, the temperature is about 105F and I don't want to fry my brain!
We are going to hear a lot of comments about Christ being the key to unity. However, we need to go beyond reciting and start talking about what it means to "live in Christ". For example, if half the Church disagrees with you, what does "living in Christ" mean to you? Not, what the other half of the Church should do, but what it means to you. As I have said before, there is no room for standing on the high moral ground when there is disunity.
I do not see how one would apply the motto you suggest and expect to follow Christ's example. When Christ stood on the moral ground of the cross, he did not inquire as to whether there was unity with the majority of those around him with his purpose before proceeding to his death. He did not let the rebellion of an entire nation stand in the way of his unity with the Father's will - that of demonstrating the greatest love even seen-provision for our salvation. Should not we follow the same course when even the majority is ununified in following the will of our Father?
Hi
My belief is weather it is the majority or the minority if they are not following the will of God, as it is in His Word. We cannot just for the sake of unity compromise.
To me 'Christ in me' means spending time in meditation on His Word and Prayer to discover His Will for me in His Principles of Life and His Plan for the Universe.
I think it has to be more than that Shirley, otherwise we would all be monks and nuns shut up in monasteries and convents.
The more time I spend getting to know and trust Jesus the more I become like Him and naturally that means it will affect my interaction with others.
Yes. Yes.
We often talk about going by feelings are bad. I feel good with a close rlationship with Christ. If I miss a day without spending time with Christ, I miss that good feeling. Turning my thoughts to Christ always lifts me out of the cloud. He never fails me.
Then I put living in Christ into practice or I would say putting my experience with Christ living in me to test. I am friendly and talk with and greet as friends the other side of the Church. That is a good example of Christ living in me though the feelings are not right. Thy become right after doing the will of my Father.
Only the gospel can accomplish the unthinkable of uniting Jews and gentiles to worshipe together.
Equality can only be accomplished by Christ in us.
Are we willing to let God do the unthinkable of uniting us together?
Are we willing to listen to the still small voice to lead us?
To live in Christ means having a good relationship with Him as He had with His father while walked on this as a human being. The vine connected to the branch. When we have that kind of relationship we can be united in the church even in the face of diversity.
I agree with Shirley. When I read Jesus said, ‘pray for your enemies’, that also means I have to live with them in my community. How do I overcome my discomfort with my neighbour? I discovered it takes more than one prayer! I have asked others to pray with, and for me, and in one instance it took over 2 years! I had to practice forgiveness because I would slip and ‘gnash my teeth’ again. I needed a friend, (Cheri Peters) to show me my sin in my discomfort and pain – where I was going wrong that I could not see before. I can now feel Christ in me a little better than before. However to continue with Maurice’ challenge with what Christ means to me – I can only be me after all. It is up to God to send the Holy Spirit into people’s minds, not up to me to persuade others to think as I do, however I can pray for them to love and feel love as He does, as demonstrated at the cross. Godbless today, Mrs A Stolz. (Maurice, are you in the 'top end' in the bush again?)
Christ in us, to me,means seeing what Christ loves in his children. Using his "Word" to nurture love and kindness in ourselves for other brethren on this earth. I have often had a tendency to treat others as cattle. Lest I become like our oppressors, I must study Christ life so I can have his milk of human kindness towards humanity.
1Corinthians 13:1-13 is a reference text used in our continuing study about unity. Most of us have read this text more than once. Apostle Paul covers all the bases about Love. Nothing is missing that allows us to miss an opportunity to be loving of others. A question that comes to mind is, what if I don't hate someone but am just tolerant of someone and can be satisfied to agree to be disagreeable?
Notice that in the Old Testament, God is always upholding His law before His people. Jesus, when often asked how one might find eternal life, always pointed to the law. Solomon wrote that the "whole duty of man(kind) was to "fear God, and keep His commandments". God's covenant with all who will accept it, is to write His law in their hearts. The Psalmist loves the law of God and meditates upon it "day and night", and therein finds "delight". And those who love God's law have "great peace".
So I believe that in a world where sin is rife, the Law of God has something to do with the unity of those saved "in Jesus", who magnified the law among a nation of legalists who manipulated the law to their advantage over their fellow man.
A correct understanding of God's character, government and purposes will lead to a true fulfilling(Rom 13:10) of the Law of God in the life. Could this be the foundation of unity in those who will give the last message of warning/mercy to a world soon to meet their God in judgment(Eccl 12:13,14)?
Yes, Robert. Notice how Christ referenced the Law:
He referenced the "Great Commandment" - to love God supremely. And He mentioned the one next to it, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
He referred to the Law in relational terms. As soon as we see the Law only as rules to obey, we completely miss the meaning of the Law. It is, after all, a transcript of the character of Him who is love. 1 John 4:8
When we allow Christ in our lives, to adopt us as his children, then we can become united with Him. And through that unity the world can know Jesus and then be saved! We must be Jesus's example!
I have missed the connection with the "Law". It sounds like our salvation is based on keeping the law. Many texts regarding keeping the ten commandments is the standard of SDA's. Like " sin is the transgression of the law". Love is the significant expression used in Matt,22:37-40.
God lives by His Principles of Life and shares them with us in various forms throughout the ages. God wants us to be like Him and live by His Principles of Life. Question- do you want to be like God?
"Christ in me"
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.
"Me in Christ"
Spend time with Jesus and His Word,then you will bear fruit.
Joh 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
Joh 15:5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
Joh 15:8 In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love.
Joh 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
Amen, Thank-you Shirley for your testimony.
"Spend time with Jesus and His Word,then you will bear fruit."
This is Truth because of the principle/law that 2 Cor 3:18 is describing - that we become changed into the likeness of that which we 'behold' (ie, spend time on/with/in).
Consequently, it is not possible to spend time on/with/in something and not be changed into the likeness of that something.