Romans 15:6-7
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I'd like to begin by defining a few words from the scriptures above.
In the New Testament and in particular in the scripture above, the word patience means the following: the characteristic of a person who is not swerved from their deliberate purpose and their loyalty to faith and virtue by even the greatest trials and sufferings. It also means: steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
The word consolation means: a calling near, summons, (especially for help); importation, supplication, entreaty; exhortation, admonition, encouragement.
The word grants means: to give something to someone or to bestow a gift; to give or commit to someone something to be religiously observed.
The phrase one mind means: with one accord, with one passion, unanimously.
Finally the word glorify means: to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; to honor, do honor to, hold in honor; to make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendour; to impart glory to something, render it excellent; to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged.
If we re-read the above scriptures bearing these definitions in mind we find that the God of patience means that our God will never cease to want us to be in unity with one another. God is so committed to unity amongst His people. Why is this? Its because when and where there is unity God commands a blessing and the Father loves to bless His people. In the same way when we read the God of consolation we know that it means our God is encouraging us and exhorting us along the way. He is urging us to move in unity. He knows what we need before we have the need and is importing it us. Through His Spirit it is being imparted to us!
So our God of patience and consolation grants us to be like minded. From the definition above we know that this means that God has bestowed a gift to us. A gift is something that is freely given. (It can either be accepted or rejected. Sadly there are many Christians who reject the gifts of God.) So of God's own accord and without any help He has given the 'gift of likemindedness' to those who are called by His name.
I believe many people mistake peace for unity. Of course it is very important to have peace. God promises us perfect peace if we keep our minds stayed on Him. The Apostle Paul instructs us to Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11). However peace and unity are not the same. People who don't believe the same thing can have peace between them. As we know in war there can be a peace treaty. It doesn't mean that one side changes their mind or position and agrees with the other side. They still believe they are right but they decide to stop fighting. Each side is still proclaiming their way even if only in their mind. Families can live in peace and under the surface there can exist strife and turmoil that is being held down for the sake of peace. There can be peace between people and yet each individual can be without peace within themselves.
Unity is completely different. When there is unity there is no dissension, there is no strife. Unity involves the minds being alike - one mind. The mind influences the heart. And as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Let's stop for a minute and think about what the Body of Christ would be like if we moved with one mind to further the Kingdom of God. The freedom and liberty we would possess! The joy everlasting! The blessings that would flow! The anointing that would be poured out!
Going back to the scripture; God has given us this 'gift of likemindedness' so that we can glorify Him in unity. I like the last part of the definition above. To cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged. When we worship God in spirit and in truth this is what we do. We are instrumental in everything that is good about God being made manifest in our lives, those around us and throughout the earth. This of course is our ultimate purpose. We are to reconcile others to God through Christ as we were reconciled. And the only way that work can begin is through unity.
Until next time I pray that you worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and that His favor rests firmly on your life. God Bless!
Check back this Thursday for another post about worship.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Unified through Faith
I'd like to discuss something that is of the utmost importance to everyone who knows God through Christ. The Word of God tells us that we are saved through this by grace. We also learn that without this it is impossible to please God. Our prayers are answered when we pray them according to God's word and will with this attached. The thing I'm referring to of course is FAITH.
A couple days ago I had a dream. A very short dream in which I was asked, "What is more important; faith or the Word of God?" As soon as I was asked the question I woke up and answered, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." The Word of God is what is more important because without it we can not cultivate faith. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4) So a person who possesses faith does so by reading, studying, absorbing, pondering, delighting in, acting upon, practicing, etc. the Word of God. The only part of the Christian walk that can come without knowing the Word of God is salvation. You see a person who knows very little about Christ can come to Him if they believe in Him. Of course to believe they have to have heard something about Him, as we all did. But its not a necessity that they understand. Its after salvation, when the Holy Spirit connects with our spirit, that we are required to live by faith. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)
The beginning of unity in the Body of Christ is established when a person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior. When this happens there is a rebirth by the Spirit of God. Our spirit is reborn and made new. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Its only after this that we can agree. As we know, two can't walk together unless they agree. Although we may be different ages, from varied ethnic backgrounds and have lived completely different lives up until the point of salvation; when we become saved we are united by faith.
I believe that a lot of confusion and dissension could be done away with if Christians would realize and or remember that this unification by faith through the Spirit of God is by the same Spirit at work in their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet often what happens is that after salvation we don't allow ourselves to be fully guided by the Spirit. We continue to allow our flesh and our mind to guide us. Think about what would happen if after we are made new in the spirit we did what the Word of God tells us is our reasonable service. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) What if we all did as was discussed in a prior post and allowed our minds to be renewed and therefore became transformed and not conformed to this world.
Perhaps this seems a difficult task. However, I'm of the mind set that it is not. What is difficult is if we think we can do this ourselves. We absolutely cannot! Romans 12:1 says, "by the mercies of God". Everything we do, every step we take is by the grace and mercies of God. Lamentations 3:23 tells us, His mercies are new every morning. God's word does not lie! This process may not always feel easy. In fact, sometimes it might feel impossible but often God moves in the mightiest ways when we face "impossibilities". Its when there is no other way but God that we must absolutely step out on faith and trust. Not seeing but yet believing that He who promised is faithful.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
What are the above scriptures telling the Body of Christ? We must hold onto the faith with which we accepted Christ and do so without wavering. We must not allow ourselves to be tossed and driven. The good news is that we can do this through Christ who strengthens us! While we hold to the faith we should consider each other in love (the Thayer Greek dictionary defines consider as; to fix one's eyes or mind upon). We are to gather together and exhort each other (the Thayer Greek dictionary defined exhort as; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort and to receive consolation, be comforted). This should be done more and more in ever increasing fashion as the day approaches for the return of our Lord and Savior.
This sounds just like unity to me! And it all begins by faith in God through Christ Jesus!
Until next we meet, may God's grace and mercy keep, sustain and nourish you both spiritually and naturally! In Jesus' name! God Bless!
A couple days ago I had a dream. A very short dream in which I was asked, "What is more important; faith or the Word of God?" As soon as I was asked the question I woke up and answered, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." The Word of God is what is more important because without it we can not cultivate faith. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4) So a person who possesses faith does so by reading, studying, absorbing, pondering, delighting in, acting upon, practicing, etc. the Word of God. The only part of the Christian walk that can come without knowing the Word of God is salvation. You see a person who knows very little about Christ can come to Him if they believe in Him. Of course to believe they have to have heard something about Him, as we all did. But its not a necessity that they understand. Its after salvation, when the Holy Spirit connects with our spirit, that we are required to live by faith. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)
The beginning of unity in the Body of Christ is established when a person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior. When this happens there is a rebirth by the Spirit of God. Our spirit is reborn and made new. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Its only after this that we can agree. As we know, two can't walk together unless they agree. Although we may be different ages, from varied ethnic backgrounds and have lived completely different lives up until the point of salvation; when we become saved we are united by faith.
I believe that a lot of confusion and dissension could be done away with if Christians would realize and or remember that this unification by faith through the Spirit of God is by the same Spirit at work in their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet often what happens is that after salvation we don't allow ourselves to be fully guided by the Spirit. We continue to allow our flesh and our mind to guide us. Think about what would happen if after we are made new in the spirit we did what the Word of God tells us is our reasonable service. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) What if we all did as was discussed in a prior post and allowed our minds to be renewed and therefore became transformed and not conformed to this world.
Perhaps this seems a difficult task. However, I'm of the mind set that it is not. What is difficult is if we think we can do this ourselves. We absolutely cannot! Romans 12:1 says, "by the mercies of God". Everything we do, every step we take is by the grace and mercies of God. Lamentations 3:23 tells us, His mercies are new every morning. God's word does not lie! This process may not always feel easy. In fact, sometimes it might feel impossible but often God moves in the mightiest ways when we face "impossibilities". Its when there is no other way but God that we must absolutely step out on faith and trust. Not seeing but yet believing that He who promised is faithful.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
What are the above scriptures telling the Body of Christ? We must hold onto the faith with which we accepted Christ and do so without wavering. We must not allow ourselves to be tossed and driven. The good news is that we can do this through Christ who strengthens us! While we hold to the faith we should consider each other in love (the Thayer Greek dictionary defines consider as; to fix one's eyes or mind upon). We are to gather together and exhort each other (the Thayer Greek dictionary defined exhort as; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort and to receive consolation, be comforted). This should be done more and more in ever increasing fashion as the day approaches for the return of our Lord and Savior.
This sounds just like unity to me! And it all begins by faith in God through Christ Jesus!
Until next we meet, may God's grace and mercy keep, sustain and nourish you both spiritually and naturally! In Jesus' name! God Bless!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Unified by God's Lead
This week I would like to examine a passage of scripture I came across a couple days ago while reading the Bible. There are many ways that God speaks to us. I believe one of the most frequent ways He chooses is through His Word. Yet another reason why it is so important that we read and study the Word of God. God never ceases to amaze me at His timing. When I write posts for this blog I always ask God to lead and guide me as to what I should say. I have many ideas that are good, because they are about God, but I am looking for God to speak through this blog and not Phillip. 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient... So out of all the ideas I have God chose to lead me away from them this week and somewhere else. I really do love God!
Let's jump right in!
Proverbs 6 :16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Let's look at a few key points. In verse 16 we are told that the Lord hates six things. Before they are listed we are told that there is a seventh thing that not only does He hate but it is an abomination to Him.
Hate is the opposite of love. In truth, it is the absence of love. As Christians we are commanded to love but God also tells us to despise wicked and evil. (Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3) So that there is no misinterpretation and for clarity's sake; we don't hate people who do evil we hate the evil they do. Its only because of God's love that we can separate the two.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says this about the word abomination:
"it refers to things or practices abhorrent to Yahweh (Jehovah), and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion." Many Christians may not readily see or recognize their own abominations to God, but once again thank God for His Word and Spirit that shows us our transgressions that we might repent and find ourselves right before God.
So now with an understanding of what hate and abomination are let's move on to the list. For this post we will concern ourselves with the seventh thing. It seems to me that the first six lead to the seventh. An abomination to God is someone who sows discord to their brethren. Discord is strife or contention. Brethren is not just used in the familial sense but it means from one person to another. In other words discord is a lack of unity between people. It is made very clear that God considers a person who causes it an abomination.
I would like to open this up for discussion. Let's all examine ourselves and our lives and how we might have caused or be causing discord. What are we saying, doing or thinking that might cause God to look upon us as an abomination? How can we change these things? And let us remember that as we examine ourselves and take what we find to the Lord, He is faithful to save and to forgive that we might be found in His righteousness.
I look forward to your comments, thoughts and/or questions.
Let's find ourselves in the fullness of God's love! God Bless!
Let's jump right in!
Proverbs 6 :16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Let's look at a few key points. In verse 16 we are told that the Lord hates six things. Before they are listed we are told that there is a seventh thing that not only does He hate but it is an abomination to Him.
Hate is the opposite of love. In truth, it is the absence of love. As Christians we are commanded to love but God also tells us to despise wicked and evil. (Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3) So that there is no misinterpretation and for clarity's sake; we don't hate people who do evil we hate the evil they do. Its only because of God's love that we can separate the two.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says this about the word abomination:
"it refers to things or practices abhorrent to Yahweh (Jehovah), and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion." Many Christians may not readily see or recognize their own abominations to God, but once again thank God for His Word and Spirit that shows us our transgressions that we might repent and find ourselves right before God.
So now with an understanding of what hate and abomination are let's move on to the list. For this post we will concern ourselves with the seventh thing. It seems to me that the first six lead to the seventh. An abomination to God is someone who sows discord to their brethren. Discord is strife or contention. Brethren is not just used in the familial sense but it means from one person to another. In other words discord is a lack of unity between people. It is made very clear that God considers a person who causes it an abomination.
I would like to open this up for discussion. Let's all examine ourselves and our lives and how we might have caused or be causing discord. What are we saying, doing or thinking that might cause God to look upon us as an abomination? How can we change these things? And let us remember that as we examine ourselves and take what we find to the Lord, He is faithful to save and to forgive that we might be found in His righteousness.
I look forward to your comments, thoughts and/or questions.
Let's find ourselves in the fullness of God's love! God Bless!
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