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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Ephesians 4:16
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Unity in diversity.
God did not ‘clone’ anything. God is not into robots, look-a-likes, copies or mass production. God is into uniqueness, individuality, and idiosyncrasies but He has also ordained unity, inter-dependence and synergy. Synergy being explained as ‘the whole being more effective than the sum of the parts’ (2 + 2 = 5!).
It is one of the great paradoxes that God is 3 and God is one. God is Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3 beings yet in total unity – interdependence – righteousness – purity – and harmony.
This is an issue the Western Church in particular needs to come to grips with – and of course – is something Satan dreads. He does all he can to prevent and frustrate it through envy and petty jealousies. Jesus prayed that, “they [we] may be One as We [He and the Father] are One” (John 17:22).
Paul gives us a brilliant picture. Our bodies are made up of different organs, muscles, and components – yet together they make up one complete body. We cannot fail to see that we are not just an eye or a leg, an arm or an ear. We all have each of them and when they are all working to their optimum, in perfect harmony and balance – physical life is exhilarating. When they are not – we say we are ill, impaired or handicapped.
Oh dear. The same is true of the ‘Body of Christ’, the Church. Yet the trouble is we don’t see it as ill, impaired or handicapped. Only Satan and the world know it. But if we open our eyes, we would see that in most areas of society today the church is impotent and ineffective, if we were honest.
But God is neither ineffective nor impotent – it is we – through our lack of faith and unity. Usually that unity is impaired through independence and pride. The two major root sins of the enemy. Both are fed and exist on lies. “If I join with someone else, I’ll lose my own identity and ministry.” “They are too successful already – they don’t need me/us.” “I’m going to win this city, this nation for Jesus on my own.”
And God weeps.
We need to get back and first recognise the Body in our own local church fellowship. Release all the gifts, talents and ministries God has placed there. Recognise that we are not in competition but in symphony and then play our individual part so that as a whole we produce beautiful, orchestrated music fit for our Master’s ears.
Once we have ‘mastered’ that grace, we can then open ourselves up to help the Body of Christ in our town or city and then the world. The amazing thing is this – once we do – the power and authority of God will be released in unparalleled force; the Kingdom of God will indeed come to earth and start to change society. People will be convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and guess what? – Jesus will return for His spotless Bride.
Worth taking seriously and working towards, isn’t it?
What can you do or how can you change to help make it become a reality in your lifetime?
What can you do to maintain and develop the unity within your local church?
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