A Moment With Your Minister
In Eph.4:1-3, we find these wonderfully challenging words of God which Paul penned by inspiration: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
These words were directed to the saints at Ephesus--to those who had been called out of sin and darkness by the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. By their obedience to the gospel they, like all who obey it, had become "partakers of the heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1). They were admonished to live a life which was so upright and according to godliness that it would match their profession of faith. Such a life requires lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and love for one's brothers and sisters in Christ.
In addition to the things just enumerated, the saints at Ephesus were challenged to keep "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." Obviously, this would require great effort on the part of every member. They would have to work hard to attain and maintain the unity of purpose, sentiment and affection that God demands of all who obey the gospel of truth, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the most compelling thing that makes such an effort worthwhile is "the bond of peace" enjoyed by those who are one in Christ.
At the present time, the bond of peace appears to be quite strong among members of the Lord's body here at Bethel. The unity of the spirit is intact, but we dare not let up in our efforts to maintain these priceless commodities. Satan knows our weaknesses and at times he disrupts the unity of the church by stirring up strife among brethren. To guard against this, these words from Heb. 12:14-15 must be obeyed: "Follow peace with all men, andholiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; ..." Dwelling together in unity is good and pleasant! It is worth all we put into it and enhances our efforts to lead others to Christ.
May God bless you richly as you seek to live for Him this week. If our Bible classes have not been a part of your Sunday regimen, why not enroll in a class this Lord's Day?
Carl E. Goad
In Eph.4:1-3, we find these wonderfully challenging words of God which Paul penned by inspiration: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
These words were directed to the saints at Ephesus--to those who had been called out of sin and darkness by the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. By their obedience to the gospel they, like all who obey it, had become "partakers of the heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1). They were admonished to live a life which was so upright and according to godliness that it would match their profession of faith. Such a life requires lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and love for one's brothers and sisters in Christ.
In addition to the things just enumerated, the saints at Ephesus were challenged to keep "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." Obviously, this would require great effort on the part of every member. They would have to work hard to attain and maintain the unity of purpose, sentiment and affection that God demands of all who obey the gospel of truth, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the most compelling thing that makes such an effort worthwhile is "the bond of peace" enjoyed by those who are one in Christ.
At the present time, the bond of peace appears to be quite strong among members of the Lord's body here at Bethel. The unity of the spirit is intact, but we dare not let up in our efforts to maintain these priceless commodities. Satan knows our weaknesses and at times he disrupts the unity of the church by stirring up strife among brethren. To guard against this, these words from Heb. 12:14-15 must be obeyed: "Follow peace with all men, andholiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; ..." Dwelling together in unity is good and pleasant! It is worth all we put into it and enhances our efforts to lead others to Christ.
May God bless you richly as you seek to live for Him this week. If our Bible classes have not been a part of your Sunday regimen, why not enroll in a class this Lord's Day?
Carl E. Goad
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