How can God work through us to build a Christ centred unity?

[Searchlight]

I feel that the enemy wants unities to exist without Christ, and for divisions to increase in the Body of Christ.

Therefore how do we overcome evil through good? In order for the church to be build up with Christ being centred. This is wherever the church is. For we will show the world that we are His disciples this way. John 13:35

Realising that He that is in us is greater then he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

That its about living through the Spirit of God and ending the deeds and attitudes of the flesh. Submitting to the Spirit of God and hearing and obeying His Word.

[logos83]

Amen!

Romans 5:5
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

[Bloodbought]

The enemy does not need to attack the western church. It is doing a great job of destroying itself.

There are too many people in the church today who want the church to be centred on them and what they think and teach. Until the church gets centred on Jesus and His words and teachings it will NEVER prosper.

[Onesiphorus]

AMen again Bloodbought

[eddybear]

A good start is to remember that we are one body in Christ. It is too easy to focus on our differences - whether they are theological, political, styles of worship etc. But not one of these things changes that fundamental truth that we are one. Knowing first and foremost who we are in Christ means we can start to live out of that knowledge.

I have brothers and sisters in Christ in this forum who I sometimes disagree with, sometimes very strongly (though I rarely express it!). But that doesn't for one moment change the fact that we are one in Christ. In fact, that awareness helps to avoid a "them and us" mentality, which can be very dangerous, but instead replaces it with "we", which works towards an outworking of the unity we already have.

[onetiggerroo]

AMEN to all that has been said, so far!

Only the LORD can make this happen. We need to be willing VESSELS.

[Searchlight]

It is my belief that our behalf is simple.

Surely, all we need to do is to confess all our fears, concerns, faults and failings, in our humility. Then by His grace He will draw us near to Him. 1 John 1:5-10 1 Peter 5:5

This ends the works of the flesh and anoints the Spirit of Christ in us, which is the sweet aroma, that is pleasing to Him. Then we enable the grace of God to work through us, by our Confessions. This is not labouring in vain.

I can only confess my unworthiness and all my faults and failings to God, and ask for His grace to work through me. He will do the rest and its not our burden.

As outside of God's grace, we surely labour in vain. Nations labour in vain. Clever scientists and politicians seek solutions to the world's problems. They do not listen to the Word of God, who promises to put the world right, showing the priority of the true gospel of Christ, as the answer. Instead, they listen to themselves and look to themselves for answers.

They exhaust themselves for nothing and they labour in vain. Psalm 2 and Habakkuk 2:13

So I labour in vain too. Why do I labour in vain? This is because I have wanted to enhance my identity in earthly things, and not in Christ. I have wanted to impress others and feel good about myself through people, and not God.

So these works cover up my guilt and sins before God. Yet in His eyes, they are filthy rags. For everything is laid bare before Him and nothing is hidden.

He knows the motives of our heart. He knows what motivates us to do things that may impress others, but they do not always impress Him.

For the works of the flesh are hostile to Him, and cannot please Him, Romans 8:7. These are works that cover our transgressions. They make us feel better and they impress others.

God showed me, that this was a bad alternative to doing things in the way He instructs. He then instructed me to uncover all my faults, failings and transgressions before Him and then they are forgiven. Then by His grace, He can work through us.

If we humble ourselves, then we are His children in close union with a loving Father.
" For whoever conceals their transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will receive mercy." Proverbs 28:13 Luke 18:9-14

His grace then works through us.

Another thing that God showed me, was this:
Was my heart true to the living God. What were my motives for wanting to draw close to Him?

Did I want to draw closer to Christ, because I wanted more unity with my brothers and sisters. Or was I motivated to want to come close,because of my love for Christ first?

Only our heart needs a true unity in Christ first, before we have a true unity with each other. If our motive is to draw close to Christ because we want to draw closer to others; then our heart is far away from Him, our living God.

We then can admit this, and ask for His mercy and grace to help us. We can then, only repent and confess our sin to Christ. Then ask for Him to live in us, and ask Him to help us to put Him first.

God wants us to be motivated for Him, and not for ourselves or other people. As this is labouring in vain. If we admit this, then His grace will work through us, so we are not labouring in vain. Therefore working more for Him.

The Spirit of Christ takes the burden for us:
He says:
" Those who trust in the Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles. They will run and not get weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

" Come to me, who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28.


For we can walk by the Spirit, and not gratify the desires of the flesh, as these are selfish ambition, fits of anger, jealousy, division, rivalry, hostility to God and each other. Galatians 5:16-19

Therefore I want to turn away from anything of the flesh, any identity or status of worldly value, any selfish ambition or goal, any attitude that is not renewed by the Spirit of God that leads to inaccurate perception, quarrels, bad feelings. As I've had all of this. I want to turn away from this and this includes turning away from the doctrines of man that is in the " manmade " worldwide church, and turn to the truths in the unseen Body of Christ.

Therefore surrendering to the Spirit of God, is a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self control. Galatians 5:22-23

As if in humility we have surrendered to our true and living God, through the blood of Christ, and live by His Word and Spirit, then we drink from one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:11

For there is no jew, nor greek, there is neither slave, nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one solely in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 Colossians 3:11

Then through God's Spirit and Word we can have humility, patience, compassion, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, as Christ has forgiven you.
Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, as we were called to be one body.

Letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching, admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms,hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. With everything in the name of our Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:12-17

Then if we love each other, through the love of Christ we show the world that we are His disciples. John 13:34-35


This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16-17