Unity of the Body
Read 1 Cor 12:12-27
Eph 4:11-25
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints(parts), for the work(functioning) of the ministry(parts), for the edifying of the body of Christ:(So if we are not in our place we do not get the grace we need)
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,(we need these gifts till..) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;(following your own desires)
Eph 4:23-32
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Ÿ There has to be a renewing of the mind for this to work!
Ÿ Eph 4:1-6
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
54yyy 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
24 And that ye (1)put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.(an act of your will to think this way, we are a body!)
25 Wherefore (2)putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.(it may be a way of the world, but it´s not our way)
26 (3)Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:(Don´t let problems develop into sin etc..)
27 (4)Neither give place to the devil.
28 (5)Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.(This has to do with stopping to think about yourself and start thinking about the needs of others)
29 (6)Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And (7)grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 (8)Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:(Remove those things and habits and words that have become a part of your life)
32 And (9)be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.(Receive restoration and give forgiveness when it is sought after)
Eph 5:1-2
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And (10)walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God(As Christ loved us, and know that the sacrifice and offering is to God!) for a sweetsmelling savour.
Rom 12:1-21
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation(faking). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.(Why? They could be your brother tommorow)
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.