A Worthy Life

KEY VERSE: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” —Philippians 1:27

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:3-14, 27-30

A HARMONIOUS SPIRIT is a blessed thing wherever it is found—in the home, in the community in business relationships, in social life, and particularly in the associations of the Lord’s people, the ‘brethren’. For these to dwell together in unity is “good” and “pleasant,” the psalmist informs us. (Ps. 133:1) The experiences of true Christians attest to this, and conversely have demonstrated that where there is envy and strife, whatever the cause might be, there is a lack of joy, and the incentive for fellowship with those of like precious faith is weakened.

According to the flesh the Lord’s people are all imperfect, and each one is different from the other. There are differences of nationality, age, and religious background, and there are differences of temperament. But the Holy Spirit, through the written Word, points out the one course for all to follow, and it is our faithfulness in following this course that results in the unity of the Spirit. The true disposition of humility and spirit of love enters into this also. Paul wrote, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.”—Eph. 4:2

To the extent that the brethren have followed the instructions of the written Word with humility and love they have enjoyed the blessedness of “with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.”

Our unity of the Spirit is based upon the fundamental doctrines of the divine plan. And what a harmonious group of doctrines is clustered around Jesus to make up the one faith which is the light and inspiration of our lives! The Creation and Fall of man; the Abrahamic promise of deliverance from sin and death; the coming of Christ at his First Advent to redeem mankind from death; the high calling of this Gospel Age; the return and second presence of Christ; the establishment of his kingdom for the blessing of all the families of the earth, are some of these soul-satisfying teachings. Paul spoke of the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith in our Key Verse.

Paul also mentioned our speaking the truth in love as being associated with growing up into Christ in all things. (Eph. 4:15) The proper use of the truth is also one of the fundamentals of our unity in Christ. One of the purposes for which the Lord gave us the truth is that we might be its ministers, holding forth the Word of life, and by doing this, to be the light of the world. We must heed the instructions of God’s Word if we are to know how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity. Speaking the truth in love will help us grow up into Christ in all things, not merely in some things. We are to appreciate Christ, and emulate him in all the wonderful manifestations of godlikeness we see in him. We are to be like Christ.

Perhaps at no previous time in the experiences of the Lord’s people has it been so important for all of us to distinguish clearly the basic truths of the divine plan, and adhere to them tenaciously. It is the truth that builds us up in Christ. It is the truth that will continue to point the way concerning the will of God. And the written Word of truth will guide all the truly meek and humble in the same way. Thus we will find ourselves in a sweet and blessed unity with one another, not only in the belief of the truth, but in the manner in which it is being worked out in our lives. See Psalm 133:1.

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