Word@Work Eph39 - Ephesians 4:3-6
Published: Wed, 11/19/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SPIRITUAL UNITY WITH INTEGRITY
Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (NIV)
In our individualistic world, there are almost as many religious and philosophical cliques as there are family groups. It has always been so. A god or idea to suit the wide variety of appetites (cf 2 Tim 4:3-4), is the common human folly. By and large, humans create the gods that we think we might be able to reach or, at least, which provide enough incentive to move forwards by our own efforts.
But when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is very different. His Spirit comes to live in us (cf Romans 8:9). His function is to bind us organically into the body of Christ, so that we become a properly functional part of what Christ is doing in the world. He chooses how he will link us with other believers so that He can do His work through us. None of us has all of God, but if we are willing for Him to have all of us, then He will fit us into His purposes.
Superficial unity without integrity has bedevilled the church for centuries. Some have tried to achieve a cosmetic unity by agreeing a form of words, to which everybody can subscribe - even though they mean different things by the same words. Others use spiritual organisations as a power base; and yet others use fellowship as a means to achieve their personal agendas. Those kinds of association cannot be invested with the Holy Spirit's power because there is no true oneness of heart. Unity in the invisible God can only come through a shared belief of His revealed truth, and its accompanying behaviour. So where two or three people commit themselves to God's truth and meet in His Name, Jesus is there (cf Matt 18:20).
So if you know others who are trusting Jesus in your workplace, why not meet regularly to discuss a Bible passage (Word@Work could be a good start) and pray. As you do, you can present yourselves as willing volunteers to work with Him: then He will work through you, and far exceed your expectations! (And please let the Word@Work team know, so that we can pray for you!)
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for others around me at work; who also have made their peace with You at the cross of Jesus. Please link me in organic trust and integrity with those who share in Your Spirit and my workplace, and show us how to be Your representatives there. For Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
In our individualistic world, there are almost as many religious and philosophical cliques as there are family groups. It has always been so. A god or idea to suit the wide variety of appetites (cf 2 Tim 4:3-4), is the common human folly. By and large, humans create the gods that we think we might be able to reach or, at least, which provide enough incentive to move forwards by our own efforts.
But when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is very different. His Spirit comes to live in us (cf Romans 8:9). His function is to bind us organically into the body of Christ, so that we become a properly functional part of what Christ is doing in the world. He chooses how he will link us with other believers so that He can do His work through us. None of us has all of God, but if we are willing for Him to have all of us, then He will fit us into His purposes.
Superficial unity without integrity has bedevilled the church for centuries. Some have tried to achieve a cosmetic unity by agreeing a form of words, to which everybody can subscribe - even though they mean different things by the same words. Others use spiritual organisations as a power base; and yet others use fellowship as a means to achieve their personal agendas. Those kinds of association cannot be invested with the Holy Spirit's power because there is no true oneness of heart. Unity in the invisible God can only come through a shared belief of His revealed truth, and its accompanying behaviour. So where two or three people commit themselves to God's truth and meet in His Name, Jesus is there (cf Matt 18:20).
So if you know others who are trusting Jesus in your workplace, why not meet regularly to discuss a Bible passage (Word@Work could be a good start) and pray. As you do, you can present yourselves as willing volunteers to work with Him: then He will work through you, and far exceed your expectations! (And please let the Word@Work team know, so that we can pray for you!)
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for others around me at work; who also have made their peace with You at the cross of Jesus. Please link me in organic trust and integrity with those who share in Your Spirit and my workplace, and show us how to be Your representatives there. For Christ's sake. Amen.
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