Unity in the Faith
Written July 31 2017
"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will
hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel;" Philippians 1:27
In my last post I discussed the word "striving" (agónizomai - See Here).
In Philippians 1:27 (above) is another Greek
word, "sunathleó", which adds "together" with the word "striving"
translated into English as "striving [together]" (KJV 1x) and
"laboured [with me]" (KJV 1x). Only 2 usages in the whole Bible. See
here: http://biblehub.com/greek/4866.htm
Except this word sunathleó means "striving
together". The Strong's concordance says, "I compete together with
others, cooperate vigorously with."
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
labor with, strive together for.
From sun and athleo; to wrestle in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to seek jointly -- labour with, strive together for.
The second and only other usage in the whole Bible, also by Paul, says:
"Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help
these women who "have shared my struggle" (NASB) or "laboured" (KJV)
(sunathleó) in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also
and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of
life." Philippians 4:3 NASB
See Paul was striving to unify the church in
the Holy Spirit. Seeking to unify the church under Christ and God the
Father. He says often throughout his writings how important this is.
And he boldly called out those who were causing divisions. Paul called
them "fleshly" (KJV- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9)
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions
among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the
same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10
This exhortation stands firm today. So why then are there so many divisions among professing followers of Christ?
Paul boldly says, "Therefore I, the prisoner of
the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with
which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to
preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one
body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all
who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6 http://biblehub.com/nasb/ephesians/4.htm
There is only ONE LORD. ONE FAITH, ONE CHRIST,
ONE BAPTISM. Christ is not divided! And yet we are fractured beyond
repair. Like the tower of babel. All speaking different things.
Different teachings, different doctrines.
Jesus clearly warned us "a house divided
against itself will fall." (Luke 11:17) What I am saying here from
God's Word shows clearly that MANY professing followers of Christ are
wrong. As they cannot ALL be right. And I by no means am saying for
people to compromise sound doctrine. But those of us who have been
born from above and fathered by God Almighty in Messiah, we have MUCH
to pray about. We need to break through to God. And we need to pray to
God and ask Him to present His people to this world. His true
servants in a clear and powerful way. And one way this can be done is
by signs and wonders being done at the hands of His servants. And I'm
not talking about all these false signs done in their phony services
on TV. I'm talking about verified and bonafide MIRACLES.
But this can only be done though those who are
have truly humbled themselves before God and are seeking Him and are
striving with Him for the cause of souls. I ask you to strive together
with God's Spirit through Christ. To seek Him yourself and not depend
on anyone else. WE must walk with Christ. We must be in fellowship
with Him. He must be our Shepherd. And this He promises to do through
His Spirit within us. Read and study John chapter 14.
I will end this message here but I ask you to
strive together with me (sunathleó) in prayer to our LORD and ask Him
to unify His church under HIS leadership. Just as Paul taught and
teaches today by the words God spoke through him to the churches of
Christ.
In Yeshua's Name Amen
Your brother in Christ, Thomas Richards
if you have never repented of your sins and been saved and feel the desire to do so now please say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully saved 20 years ago!
Say,
"My Lord and my God, Have mercy on my soul, a sinner, I believe Jesus the Messiah died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe God raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus is now on the right hand of God and can hear my prayer at this moment and wants to live through me and give me power to keep His Word. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You into my heart Lord Jesus. Please be my Lord and Savior in every aspect of my life. Thank you God for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen"
