Fitting into the Community
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Key Verse: “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Selected Scripture: |
THE PROPRIETY OF walking in harmony with divinely established principles is set forth as an important exhortation in the Scriptures. The manifestation of a Christlike spirit would include elements such as humility, gentleness, patience even under extended provocation, and an ability to bear with one another in a loving manner without faultfinding or resentment. Naturally speaking, there are differences among those who aspire to be a part of the body of Christ. Nevertheless, self-interest among members of the church should yield to the goal of attaining unity of the Spirit while dwelling together in peace.—Eph. 4:1-3
The fact that there is one body demonstrates that sectarian divisions are not in harmony with God’s ways. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit is manifested by the followers of Christ who strive to think and act as he did during his earthly sojourn. The one hope relates to the prospect of all the saintly ones being joined together with Christ, in living and reigning with him to bless the entire human family during the kingdom of righteousness for a thousand years.—vs. 4
“One Lord” is the Master, Jesus Christ who died and rose again. “One faith” pertains to the doctrine taught by Jesus and elaborated upon by the apostles as recorded in the Scriptures. “One baptism” relates to the burial of the believer’s will into that of Christ Jesus, even unto death.—vs. 5
The supremacy of the Creator refutes the widely held belief in a trinity of equal gods. “To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (I Cor. 8:6) Although Christ as the Son has been highly exalted because of his faithfulness in giving his life to purchase the human race, even he must be subject to the Heavenly Father, that “God may be all in all.”—I Cor. 15:28; Eph. 4:6
Our Key Verse indicates there is diversity within the body of Christ as each member has a unique function to perform. Additionally, there were special men given to the church as gifts, including apostles and others for the purpose of facilitating its growth and development. Using all these helps in the proper manner will result in the acquisition of spiritual maturity by each New Creature in Christ who will have his character thoroughly lubricated with the spirit of love. As the various members of the church cooperate with one another under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the entire body of Christ will be built up and edified with all needed graces for its appointed ministry during the Millennial Age.—vss. 11-16
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”—Ps. 133:1-3