Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Making an effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace


Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet

Ephesians 4:1-7     I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

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It seems impossible that two people who have the same Spirit of God could be separated by disagreements ... but by the Bible, we see this can happen.

Acts 15:35-41    Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.


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In addition to having the Spirit of God, we have our own flesh and the flesh of others with which to contend ... and there are devils who encourage our flesh toward directions inspired by our own flesh.

Our flesh and devils conspire against God, authoring trouble in the body of Christ, when possible.

If one tries to make peace, holding out an "olive branch", while the other hardens his heart, there is likely little a human can do ... but even then, God can do all things according to HIS Own will.

All we can do is attempt unity.

There are so many hidden factors at work in any separation.

Ephesians 6:12    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Amos 3:3    Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

***

But nothing is hidden from God in the situation.

All we can do is pray for God to cleanse our heart and create a right heart in us personally.

Psalm 51:8-12   Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice. Hide THY face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from THY presence; and take not THY HOLY SPIRIT from me.


Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free spirit.





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