“CPR for a Healthy Walk" Part Seven
REVIEW
I. Continually cultivate a dynamic relationship with God.
Commit yourself
Dedicate your members
Renews your perception
Draw near
Live by the power of the Holy Spirit
II. Persistently pursue, develop and maintain meaningful connection with the community of saints.
A. Fervently pray for one another
Intercessory prayer is essential
Intercessory prayer is effective
B. Preserve the unity of the body.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephes. 4:1-6
Paul encourages these believers to demonstrate continual diligence.
This is the same word used several other places in the New Testament. Word used to communicate a desire to make every effort, give diligence, make haste. Walk worthy of the Lord by demonstrating a diligence to preserve or keep the unity of the spirit. We are one in the spirit. God instructs us to exercise great effort to live that unity. The word “preserve” is also in a continual tense. It most often was used in reference to guarding, to keep in custody, watch diligently, keep the commandments in the sense of diligently doing them. Here, the Paul calls the church to walk worthy of our calling into the body by diligently guarding the unity of the body. The early church lived such a unity. Many places in the Bible talk about their oneness of mind and heart followed by great impact for the kingdom and the establishment of the church. The Spirit already unifies us because of our mutual baptism into the body of Christ. Christ is the head. We are the body, spiritually connected to the head.
Paul calls for us to be diligent to demonstrate that essential unity by an experiential unity.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephes. 4:11-13
How do we guard the unity? There are a number of admonitions from Scripture regarding attitudes and actions that serve to demonstrate and preserve unity in the body. These are tangible observable instructions that preserve the unity of the body. You have heard these things repeatedly. I remind you of them today that perhaps God may highlight some area that can be ignited in your own life.
1. Love one another
The love called for in regard to one another is a spirit-generated decision to selflessly and freely give of one’s self to pursue meaningful relationship with another. I used to think that love involved a simple decision of the will to meet someone’s need. 1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear that I can meet needs by an angelic language, by sacrificing my goods to the poor and even personal sacrifice of my body and still not be love. These things ARE involved in demonstrating love but when pursuit of meaningful relationship is missing, it is not love. The missing element is pursuit of meaningful relationship. A marriage that does everything right and yet fails to pursue a deeper connection is a marriage without this kind of love. Out of the strength of His own character, God so firmly decided to pursue restored relationship with the world that he sacrificed for a time His own relationship with Christ. This pursuit of relationship flows from the determination of the one loving and has little to do with the worthiness or willingness of the one being loved.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God (meaningful connection to the Father); and such we are. 1 John 3:1
God is love. Love is God. God commands us to love one another. In fact love for God and man summarizes the whole law. John pointedly insists that if we cannot love our brother who we can see, how can we love God who we do not see? This one command summarizes all the other commands regarding unity of the body. So much can be said about the specifics of this love. 1 Corinthians 13 and the unhypocritical love described in Rom 12 provide a firm foundation for understanding what such a love looks like.
How do I love like God loves?
It all goes back to the cultivating relationship with Him. As we realize the full dimensions of His love for us, we can more fully explore the impact of His love through us.
Following are some basic truths about this kind of loving.
• It is commanded and therefore non-optional.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
• It continues to grow.
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; 1 Thes. 3:12 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 1 Thes. 4:10
• It is active.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1Jn 3:18 I Cor 13 Rom 12
• God initiates it
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7
• God teaches it.
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 1 Thes. 4:9
• God perfects it.
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; 1 Thes. 3:12
And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17
• The Holy Spirit manifests it through us
But the fruit of the Spirit is love… Gal 5:22-23
• We extend it to each other.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23
• Jesus modeled it
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
This spirit generated decision to selflessly and freely give of one’s self to pursue meaningful relationship with another lies at the core of who we are because it is the core of who God is. When we allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in us, this love will flow from us. His love is the key to preserving the unity of the body. Our core value will be the continual pursuit of meaningful relationships through a selfless devotion of ourselves to the needs of others. I am grateful for our love but may we excel even increasingly through His love!
2. Be of the same mind with one another
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:5-6
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them. Acts 4:32
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor. 1:10
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philip. 1:27
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philip. 2:2
Preserving the unity of the body has to do with a oneness of thinking. This does not mean we all like the same things but are joined together for the same purpose. When the goal is the same, the methods and the ministers become unified. The goal in our key verse is that we will with one voice glorify God. As long as we accomplish agreed upon goals and we are fighting for the same team, we can more readily cooperate on the details. Paul prayed that God would GRANT oneness of thinking. It is a prayer. It is a supernatural thing. It is the opposite of challenging one another to an argument. It is cooperating with one another to accomplishment.
3. Receive/accept one another
Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7
When God grants oneness of mind we are instructed then to receive one another and accept one another as Christ accepted us. The word means to take to one’s self. Again, the idea of relationship and unity and community is emphasized. The model of acceptance is how Christ received and accepted us. With passion, with unconditional acceptance regardless of race, social status, background, education, intellectual abilities, physical attributes, and customs… you get the picture. When each member of the body commits to receive the other freely and without constraint or reserve in full recognition of our equal and mutual fellowship and heritage in Christ, unity will be preserved in the body.
There are at least three exceptions to this mandate.
• We are not to receive a false teacher 2John10
• We are not to receive an unrepentant immoral person 1 Cor 5:11-13
• We are not to receive an unrepentant, unruly, undisciplined brother 2 Thes 3:6-15
The purpose is that they may be restored to fellowship and fruitfulness in the body.
We are to accept one another demonstrate by hospitality. There are other passages that exhort us to accept one another with hospitality.
let love be without hypocrisy…practicing hospitality. Romans 12:13
Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 1 Peter 4:9
This is the opposite of rejecting one another.
4. Greet one another
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. Romans 16:16
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. Philip. 4:21
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14
The concept of greeting in the Scripture is and outward acknowledgement of our mutual life in Christ and our brotherly love and unity. A greeting may be physical (kiss, handshake, hug) verbal (spoken words) or written (card, letter).
Much can be learned from the practice of greeting in the Scripture.
• They were personal and specific not generic. (Used names)
• They communicated acceptance and partnership. (I accept and appreciate you as a vital part of the team.)
• They recognized another’s significant contribution to the kingdom. (I appreciate what you do.)
• They were not to be extended to false teachers.
• Individuals or groups greeted one another.
What do we communicate with our greeting? How can we make our greeting time at Chico more effective? We so readily overlook the contribution of others.
Like water and oxygen, loving words and meaningful touch are essential to satisfying connection. They serve to both heal and energize the soul. Let us be more deliberate and intentional in how we greet one another. Whether it is here at church, with your family or at work, a greeting can be a powerful tool. This is the opposite of ignoring one another or taking one another for granted. So much better to work at acknowledging each other’s contribution to the body. No one in God’s family is insignificant.
5. Be kind to one another
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephes. 4:31-32
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Col. 3:12
The concept of kindness has to do with doing good; useful things to relive misery, meet needs or please others. Both the Father and the Son demonstrate kindness to mankind.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, For Thy goodness' sake, O LORD. Psalm 25:7
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. Acts 10:38
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephes. 2:4-7
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Like love, kindness includes a number of actions. It encompasses compassion, mercy, good deeds, gentleness, and benevolence. Kindness focuses on tangible acts that relieve misery, demonstrate concern, express thoughtfulness.
Hebrews talks about pleasing sacrifices.
Through Him (Christ) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
Scripture recognizes that such a life style is not all roses.
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. Gal 6:9
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 2 Thes. 3:13
Acts of kindness done from a heart of compassion surprise and genuinely touch people in a self-centered society. Even stories of kindness touch us at the core of our being.
Kind Words And Deeds
Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are tile roots,
Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits.
Take care of your garden, And keep out the weeds:
Fill it up with sunshine, Kind words and kind deeds.
-- Longfellow
We live in a society that rarely does anything without some sort of hidden motive. Such kindness to other effects both believers and non-believers and God left us instructions to live that way.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:10
Like love, unified thinking, acceptance, godly greeting, kindness too promotes preservation of the unity of the body in the bond of peace. You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. This is the opposite of hurting one another, biting, and devouring one another.
6. Forgive one another
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Col. 3:12-13
Nothing disrupts unity faster than bitterness against one another. The writer of Hebrews warns us to make sure that no root of bitterness spring up in the body and defile many. Bitterness is the source of all kinds of poisonous plants. Refusal to forgive wreaks great havoc in the church. The personal and corporate consequences for unforgiveness are grave and severe. We are called to forgive one another. We were not called to stand guard over a personal prison house of debtors we have personally incarcerated. If we insist on such a life, we soon discover that we are as much in bondage as those we hope to reform by our unforgiveness. For the sake of preserving unity and personal growth and freedom, we must practice the kind forgiveness Jesus practiced. It was character based out of his own compassion and love.
• It was costly to him.
• It was complete.
• It was continual.
This is the opposite of condemning one another or harboring bitterness.
7. Forebear one another
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephes. 4:1-3
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Col. 3:12-13
The concept of forbearance has to do with a willingness to put up with, overlook, or hold back in the face of a difficult person or circumstance. In regard to the body and preserving unity, it has to do with looking for the gold in people rather than the dirt. If we look hard enough, we can ALWAYS find some dirt that disturbs us. We are instructed to graciously endure and put up with the displeasing, offensive, or even at times sinful attitudes and actions of others praying for significant life-change. We are often too quick to judge and murmur against one another.
Conclusion
God instructs us to demonstrate great diligence to preserve the unity of the body in the bond of peace.
The Psalmist sang the praises of such unity
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon Aaron's beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever. Psalm 133:1-3
God prescribes some specific practices intended to preserve that unity.
• Love one another, don’t resist one another.
• Be of the same mind with one another, do not argue and challenge one another.
• Receive and be hospitable to one another, do not reject one another.
• Greet one another, don’t ignore one another.
• Be kind, good, gentle and benevolent to one another, do not hurt one another.
• Forgive one another, do not condemn or harbor bitterness.
• Forbear one another, do not judge or murmur against one another.
Notes
Go back through the seven guards to unity in the body and ask God concerning the condition of each one in your everyday life. Think about the opposites. Are you preserving or disrupting unity? Whether we are struggling with the practicing the positive or find ourselves practicing the negative, we need to repent and go back to the elements of cultivating deeper relationship with God.
