2-- Going For What Kind Of Unity

Going for Unity: Which Kind? (by Bill Stevenson) First, think about why from the beginning of the humankind have there become divisions which of course is the opposite of unity. At the time of the building of the Tower of Babel “to reach Heaven”, the Bible says that God gave them different languages to cause them to stop that and I believe that is when the one land mass was divided into the 7 continents with people uniting with others speaking the same language. Then why did so many countries develop? And also why did so many religions and different kinds of Christian churches develop (the latter mostly happening from the mid 1800s)? Why would selfishness and lack of the knowledge of the purpose for the human race be common in all of the above mentioned? Do not proceed in reading the rest of this paper until you thoroughly think about what I have mentioned so far. Samples of wrong unity movements: • God’ chosen people in the Old Testament were a certain kind of people who sometimes had good unity and other times they had bad unity, like during the 40 years in the Wilderness. Because of the bad unity they had in not waiting for guidance from God via Moses and the unity when they disobeyed God’s Law, those adults were not allowed to live to see the Promised Land. God delivered the Israelites 6 times in the past, each time after they had become unified for being against Him and His commandments. See Romans 11 for what the status of Jews (the ancestors of the above mentioned Israelites) in relation to God now is. Most of them did not accept Jesus Christ as their final Savior or Messiah. • Hitler, Mussolini of Italy, and the leader of Japan tried to unify the world by military conquests and genocide. Hitler wanted to even create a Caucasian super-race. • Believers of Marx communism theories wanted to unify the world like they did the Soviet Union of countries.. • Many United Nations leaders claim that they will help unify the world. But many of its decisions have been against Israel and one time a few years ago they showed a map of the Middle East without Israel and many of its members want the USA to be destroyed too at least by economic breakdown. • Many politicians have promised unity increase in the country they wanted to lead. The most recent example of this was in the USA. The following is from the beginning of a January 5, 2008, article titled “Obama Says His Victory Will Bring Change” by Amy Lorentzen (Associated Press Writer)-- “Des Moines, Iowa (AP) -- A victorious Barack Obama portrayed his decisive first-place finish in the Iowa Democratic caucuses as a ‘defining moment’ that he said would lead the way to change in Washington and an end to the war in Iraq. The first-term senator from Illinois promised ‘a nation less divided and more united’ and told those at a victory rally they could some day ‘look back and say this is the moment where it all began.’” But many would not agree with Mr. Obamas beliefs (ex: pro-abortion and racial prejudice in churches like in the one he is a member of) and what changes he wants to make for more unity in the USA (more taxes and Federal Government requirements for schools, businesses, and families). • And also in the USA, the “Political Correctness” movement for the past 15 years and organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union are doing all they can using the courts to force secularism everywhere and tolerance of what the Bible says displeases God (like homosexuality, abortion, slander, lying, etc.). The United States was the only country in history to be started by Christians who desired religious freedom. • The deceased Pope John Paul wanted to and the current Pope wants to do the following: unify the Christian denominations and the other religions of the world into a world church that all worship on Sunday. And what will happen to those who won’t agree of submitting to the Pope for such? • And there are many charismatic preachers who are claiming that there is a great move of the Holy Spirit for people of all denominations to be unified by getting the gift of speaking in tongues which will cause world-wide conversions to Christianity and many miraculous healings and much prosperity. Where is Jesus Christ in such? And the Bible says that there will be a great falling away of church goers and many will be deceived by Satan and his army doing signs and wonders.

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There are other examples of movements for unifying people, but I hope that you agree that all of the mentioned ones are wrong. But “we are either part of the solution or we are part of the problem”. Common Christians like us cannot do much about the above indicated problems. So what about the local church you attend? Is there proper unity in it? Is it like the following? Head-- Jesus Christ and the Bible Heart-- Holy Spirit Nervous System-- pastors Lungs-- financial backers Digestive System-- teachers Circulatory System-- understanders of the Word

Bones-- secretarial laborers Central Body Skin-- elders Limbs” Skin-- missionaries and evangelists Muscles-- full committed Christians Fat-- carnal Christians

Conclusion from personal observations: Most churches today have the following condition-- body obesity, a nervous condition, weakening of lungs, enlarged arteries, and heartache. Probable result: heart attack! Now please read 1 Corinthians 12:18-26 and then consider how it applies to the following Bible passages. Consider the following from the Amplified Bible: Ephesians 5:17-21 “17 Therefore do not be vague {and} thoughtless {and} foolish, but understanding {and} firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled {and} stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name [character] of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” Philippians 2:1-5 “ 1 So by whatever strengthening {and} consoling {and} encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, [our relationship] in Him [affords], whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, 2 fill up {and} complete my joy by living in harmony {and} being of the same mind {and} one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind {and} intention. 3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit {and} empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than {and} superior to himself [or herself] [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4 Let each of you esteem {and} look upon {and} be concerned for not [merely] his [or her] own interests,

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but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude {and} purpose {and} [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Jesus Christ be your example in humility:]”

Ephesians 4:11-16 “11 And His [Christ Jesus’] gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. 12 His intention was the perfecting {and} the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people). [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), 13 until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature humanhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's Own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ {and} the completeness found in Him. 14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching {and} wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning {and} cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. 15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way {and} in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints {and} ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.” Hebrews 10:23-25 “23 So let us seize {and} hold fast {and} retain without wavering the hope we cherish {and} confess our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) {and} faithful to His Word. 24 And let us consider {and} give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love {and} helpful deeds {and} noble activities, [See Ephesians 2:10.] 25 not forsaking {or} neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the Day approaching.” To ponder: What is proper unity according to God? Or to put it another way, what does the New Testament say are the unity movements God is for? Please send me the results of this pondering and any responses to the Scripture passages I logically formatted.

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