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| A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver |
Oneness, unity, intimate fellowship is desired by God and His people. It is an emphasis in the kingdom of God. It is to be sought after among other believers, yet forsaken among unbelievers. Oneness is an experience for those "in Christ Jesus."
Fellowship Among the Brethren of Christ. True unity, true fellowship, is only possible in the arena of righteousness. It seems as though many professed believers find their unity with one another on the basis of falling short in doing what God desires of them. This is no fellowship at all. Fellowship comes when we repent of wickedness and walk in the light. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7).
Fellowship among men is contingent upon their fellowship with God and His Christ, into which they have been called (1 Cor 1:9). Remember that the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile was not broken down except in Christ, “who is our peace” (Eph 2:14-15). Believers are united “in Him” and are made “one new man” in Him.
Fellowship Among the Brethren of Christ. True unity, true fellowship, is only possible in the arena of righteousness. It seems as though many professed believers find their unity with one another on the basis of falling short in doing what God desires of them. This is no fellowship at all. Fellowship comes when we repent of wickedness and walk in the light. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7).
Fellowship among men is contingent upon their fellowship with God and His Christ, into which they have been called (1 Cor 1:9). Remember that the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile was not broken down except in Christ, “who is our peace” (Eph 2:14-15). Believers are united “in Him” and are made “one new man” in Him.
Through abiding in Christ, believers have fellowship with one another. They have been gathered to the same One, as it is written, “unto Him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen 49:10; cf. Eph 1:10). Wherever men are not abiding in Christ, fellowship is not possible and seeking it is not lawful. “For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (2 Cor 6:14). In salvation, believers are given by God to Christ and the result, among other things, is that they are one.
They Shall All Be One. The basis for oneness, and particularly in the gathering together of the church, is found in oneness with the Lord. In other words, unity in and of itself, avails nothing. The purpose of God is not just for men to be united but for them to be one in Him. Jesus prayed that they all be one. That all of the many believers be as one united body. He prayed that they all be one, “as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us” (Jn 17:21). This oneness with each other and with Deity would prove to the world the greatness of “the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10). Jesus continued, “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (Jn 17:22-23). There is an end, or goal, to this oneness in the people of God. It is completeness with God unto His glory and the glory of His Christ, in Whom it is possible.
In Reality, There Is Only One. Jesus’ prayer is answered in Him. Oneness is not something to be created by men or by the strategies of men. It is the experience of believers because they have been placed in “one.” Oneness is not accomplished by men. All those in Christ are one because Christ is not divided. We are Christ’s and Christ is God’s (1 Cor 3:23); They are one, therefore, we are one.
There IS one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6).
There IS one. We are in one. Our task is to endeavor to “KEEP the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). This truth alone makes division among brethren sinful and offensive to God. Where oneness is not realized, strategies are not necessary, team building exercises are not necessary, REPENTANCE is necessary. Unity is created by God through the Spirit, our task is to maintain it through peace. So far as it depends on you...be at peace with all men.
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