Hi Mark,
So, appreciate your encouraging `ticks.` Now, while we `keep the unity of the Spirit,` with our Christ-like attitude developed by the Holy Spirit, there is ALSO the very important aspect (that I`m trying to bring out here), of the `unity of the faith, ` (Eph. 4: 13).
This is NOT based on the lowest denominator but on ALL the truths that the Holy Spirit has clarified over the centuries to the believers. We, today have ALL the truths that Paul gave to the Ephesians, (the whole counsel of God. Acts 20: 27). Some believers are standing for the truth of salvation by faith in Christ, some are standing for the truth of adult baptism, and some believers are standing for the other truths of the infilling of the Holy Spirit etc. These are all part of Christ`s work in His Body.
The last great truth to be clarified across the Body is the eternal purposes of God for - the Body of Christ, for Israel and for the nations. Some people believe that we will all be on earth together while the truth is that each group have their part in God`s great Kingdom rulership. That is why the eschatology section is a hot spot, for there is a real `battle` for the truth going on there. Remember a few decades ago it was the infilling of the Holy Spirit that was the `battle` ground. each truth has had to be `fought` over, (with the truth in love presented.)
What have you seen over the years in this regard, Mark?
That could be, perhaps. I've seen more how these doctrinal trends in understanding seem to take place over the centuries. First things in the early church, Who exactly is Jesus, and what exactly are the new Scriptures. These days the leading edge of study and debate seems to be in eschatology, and I think that understanding Israel and the Church are key to understanding the Last Things.
But to the topic of maturity in the Body of Christ, these are some of my thoughts.
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV
1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I think this best describes how God intends we wll act towards each other.
"Endeavoring to keep the unity" He writes as if we are already unified, while later he will write, "til we all come to the unity . . ." Like many things in Scripture concerning our salvation, the Bible speaks in terms that we already possess what we have yet to obtain.
The Spirit unifies us, it's we who divide ourselves. What God has joined together let no man separate. Spiritually, we are made one in the Holy Spirit. In our flesh, we divide because of the same reasons we do anything wrong that we do, pride and envy.
Walk worthy of your vocation - what God has called you to do, do.
But this is how, with all lowliness. Maybe I have all the right answers. Maybe I can do all the right works. Maybe I have the faith to move the mountain. Yet outside of the Lord, I know exactly who and what I am. And that is not anything I care to share! Outside of Him. In Christ, He transforms me, and If I can keep myself out of His way, maybe something good can happen!
Meekness . . . intentionally gentle. Longsuffering . . . makrothumia . . . enduring great angst. Forebearing, putting up with each other.
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.
My first aim is to keep the unity of the Spirit, by being humble, remembering my contribution here may be worthless, only, may God give some value! Being meek, I could just hammer the other guy, I've got the verses, and he's got the faulty argument, but no, work with him, try to help him to see. Longsuffering, explain as many times as needed, show the Scriptures over and over until understanding comes. Forebearing, I don't have to call attention to every insult, every fallacy, let others have the same opportunity to be wrong without castigation, as I desire the same! Always remembering I could be wrong, I could be shown the fool, and if I am, I'll have gained.
These are how we keep out of the way of the Holy Spirit as we mature together in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV
11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
When we are out of the way, Jesus builds His church just as He said. He builds, we divide. If we are not dividing, we are either given to the church for the purpose of maturing the saints, in these various ways towards the work of serving, towards the building of the body of Christ.
I love to think about words, get the fulness, edify, this is like edifice, an elaborate or imposing building, to edify is to make us into an edifice. The living temple.
Ephesians 4:13-15 KJV
13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a mature man . . . or should we read this as the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, meaning the Christian? Unto a mature man, who measures up the stature - the full grown man - of the fulness of Christ.
This is where we begin.
This is a maturity that aren't blown about by every weird idea, or every wicked man who perverts the Gospel. We are settled in what we know, comfortable, and our knowledge, and our faith are not such that we divide, instead, we gather together.
We do as Jesus did, we don't cry out in the streets, we don't break bruised reeds, we don't snuff out smoldering wicks. Personally I see it this way.
The faith and knowledge of the Son of God speak towards Jesus' trust in the Father, and His willingness to set His Own interests entirely aside, just trusting that what the Father gives Him is what is good for Him, no more, no less, and fully content from the heart with that. It's speak to what He was doing in this world, serving others, given entirely to others. No personal interest, only serving mankind bringing reconciliation to God.
As I think about the faith and knowledge of the son of God, the Christian, that speaks to me of believing in what God has done with us, justification, reconciliation, sanctification, I'm a man with a mission, sent by God, with His power fulfilling His purpose, in His way.
Ephesians 4:24 KJV
24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
As I've studied the word translated "true holiness", it's not the normal word for holy, instead, a word described as meaning "the eternal principles of right", also describes as, “the divine consecration and inner truth of righteousness”. This is literally "Holiness of the truth", that is, truth in us makes us consecrated to God's eternal principles,
Ephesians 4:20-23 KJV
20) But ye have not so learned Christ;
21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him,
as the truth is in Jesus:
22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you can show by testing the good and perfect - complete - will of God.
Romans 5:1-5 KJV
1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5) And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The love of God is "out poured" "into our hearts", I see in this God's intention, He pours His love into us so that it will pour out of us.
Ephesians 4:15-16 KJV
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
And they'll know we are Christians by our love!
Much love!
