The Lost Art Of Unity?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

In my estimation, unity does not require uniformity. We can disagree on many things, and even almost all things, but for unification to occur we must agree on at least one thing. And so each of us tosses our combined efforts into the smelter of selflessness in order to achieve what we desire.

Dead on... Yes sir... So true... I agree.. Amen... Preach It... All that good stuff.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

If they feel that they must agree on all things then their group will be small indeed.

One keep point is this... when seeking unity are people seeking others to be unified with the way they themselves believe or are they seeking unity for a larger purpose than their own to which they are willing to become a part of the whole because they see a purpose bigger than their own stringent agendas?

The seed must die before the plant comes forth.

Personal issues have to die in the ground of unity before something larger and united can emerge.

Must we agree on all things? Depends on if Paul was an Apostle. He defined unity as:

10: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor. 1:10

As to PERSONAL ISSUES they are to be left personal. If issues are DOCTRINAL in nature they must be judged either true or false.

[RevDWW]

True LOVE, Christ like LOVE is the great unifier!

Ephesians 4:1 - Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
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. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 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; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 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. 29 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 grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Doesn't unity go further than everybody thinking the same things?

Isn't unity a larger goal than knowing everybody holds our own personal preferences, opinions and convictions?

All this talk of splitting up and the constant chatter about unity that we all hear makes me think that folks have missed the mark somewhere.

It's just like the Bible talked about the Body of Christ... much diversity in use, function etc and yet operating together as a whole for one purpose.

Just as peace is not properly defined as a lack of war neither is unity properly defined as a lack of disagreement on things.

Unity should be a people held together under one banner... that being fulfilling the mission given us by Jesus Christ, bound together for that goal. Each reaching out to touch their world according to their own vision & ability.

Each one being unique in their vision and, thereby, uniquely equipped to reach a part of the world that the brother next to him cannot reach as effectively because they are 2 individuals who think and operate differently. And yet, these brethren, do reach with all effectiveness those their particular vision equips them to reach and the brethren have no resentment one for the other because the banner that binds them still stands.

A unity of "people who think like me" is and always will be a frail and precarious union which will fly apart at the first inkling of someone having an original thought.

Our binds that we choose are too frail and too near the human heart to hold us together. We should choose binds that are higher and stronger and let God use each of us as He so chooses as we all stand pleased that, in each of our own ways, we are reaching the world with the message of a Savior that died that they might have life and that more abundantly.

Unity should not be something we seek until it has become something that we have properly defined.

At this point in history... Unity still stands as poorly defined.

As far as this TV thing goes I don't see why both sides could not compromise and agree on a statement that allows for TV but condemns worldly entertainments ON TV. We should do the same for the Internet

[drummerboy_dave]

Unity does not mean that you always get your way. To have disunity means that at some point in time, there was unity. Unity will not just reemerge without much effort, a deep love and understanding and respect for ourselves and for those on the other side. Both sides must share this, and also an earnest longing to reunite. It takes time, commitment, work and comprimise to have unity. In other words, it takes the fruit of the spirit that so many of us think and say that we have.

[Sister Alvear]

Too many selfish people in Pentecost...we must look beyond ourselves and see the needs of others...
No one I fellowship with affects what is in my heart...