Continued Monday Feb. 23rd...
Well here we go....... I really do believe that 'unity matters,' .......really doooo matter.
The Apostle Paul was very concerned in his appeal to the Corinthian church when he called the church in 1 Corinthians 1:10 to be 'perfectly united' in mind and thought. This was a church that had increasingly become crippled by factions and splinter groups formed around certain personalities and favourite preachers. Reports of quarreling, jealousies and disunity had been robbing the Corinthian church of it's potential for greatness.
Paul is reminding the church to pay attention to matters of unity. He is calling them to stay focused on Jesus, the Cross and what matters most. Not to become distracted by debating and arguments that really in the big picture of Christ's church mean little.
The appeal was for restorative action to be taken. To be 'perfectly united' together comes from a medical term that includes in it's meaning the setting or knitting together of a bone that has been broken. It also includes the idea of joints that have been dislocated being put back in place.
Sometimes there is brokenness in the family of God. Sometimes there are dislocations that need to be reset. Sometimes there are relationships that for whatever the reason need to be mended and renewed. It's in these times that we need to work together at unity, not giving up on our relationships. Everyone doing their part and allowing God to bring healing where there has been hurt.
It interesting that as Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthian church, once again he appeals for unity. 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 Paul is very much aware that God's commanded blessing (Psalm 133) is with those who walk together in unity. This time in his closing thoughts Paul uses the words; 'Aim for perfection.' ......The same Greek tense is used here as in the earlier passage found in 1 Corinthians 1 where Paul calls for the mending and knitting together of the church.
Aim for perfection......implies that we may not always walk in perfect unity or agreement but at least we are aiming for it. We have a valuable target always worth shooting for. Sometimes we fail in matters of unity. We may not always agree on every decision in the life of the church but we choose to continue to walk together in the Spirit of Christ's love and peace.
Why? Because unity really does matter.
"Finally, brother, goodby. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthian 13:11-14
Still Aiming!!!!
Grace & Peace
Well here we go....... I really do believe that 'unity matters,' .......really doooo matter.
The Apostle Paul was very concerned in his appeal to the Corinthian church when he called the church in 1 Corinthians 1:10 to be 'perfectly united' in mind and thought. This was a church that had increasingly become crippled by factions and splinter groups formed around certain personalities and favourite preachers. Reports of quarreling, jealousies and disunity had been robbing the Corinthian church of it's potential for greatness.Paul is reminding the church to pay attention to matters of unity. He is calling them to stay focused on Jesus, the Cross and what matters most. Not to become distracted by debating and arguments that really in the big picture of Christ's church mean little.
The appeal was for restorative action to be taken. To be 'perfectly united' together comes from a medical term that includes in it's meaning the setting or knitting together of a bone that has been broken. It also includes the idea of joints that have been dislocated being put back in place.
Sometimes there is brokenness in the family of God. Sometimes there are dislocations that need to be reset. Sometimes there are relationships that for whatever the reason need to be mended and renewed. It's in these times that we need to work together at unity, not giving up on our relationships. Everyone doing their part and allowing God to bring healing where there has been hurt.
It interesting that as Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthian church, once again he appeals for unity. 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 Paul is very much aware that God's commanded blessing (Psalm 133) is with those who walk together in unity. This time in his closing thoughts Paul uses the words; 'Aim for perfection.' ......The same Greek tense is used here as in the earlier passage found in 1 Corinthians 1 where Paul calls for the mending and knitting together of the church.
Aim for perfection......implies that we may not always walk in perfect unity or agreement but at least we are aiming for it. We have a valuable target always worth shooting for. Sometimes we fail in matters of unity. We may not always agree on every decision in the life of the church but we choose to continue to walk together in the Spirit of Christ's love and peace.
Why? Because unity really does matter.
"Finally, brother, goodby. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthian 13:11-14
Still Aiming!!!!Grace & Peace
On a lighter note......vote in our poll up in the right hand corner. What is your favourite coffee shop? Now there's a unity matter. It only takes a second to vote.
