RSS

Tag Archives: unity

The Peace of Christ

31 Jan
The Peace of Christ

We’re continuing through the book of Colossians. For the last few posts, I was talking about our spiritual clothing if we allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in us. Now Paul is bringing this section to a conclusion.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Let me start out with a disclaimer. I’ve heard many teaching about this verse. The majority of which deal with decision making. They say that if you have a major decision to make, just go with the choice that you’re at peace with.

I know that this sounds good, but it’s based upon the way word meanings have changed throughout church history. However, one thing that doesn’t change is the context of Scripture. So, at the risk of getting some people upset at me, I’m going with the context.

The first thing we need to understand is this word, peace. The problem is that the Greek language has a couple of different words that are translated as peace in English. I’ve heard people teach that it’s calm, quietness – like when Jesus said, “Peace. Be still”; and He calmed the storm. This isn’t that Greek word.

The word used for peace in this verse means harmony between two parties. In other words, it’s the opposite of war. This is something that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

Again, we need to look at the context in which we find this verse. Paul has just gone through a list of virtues that affect our relationships. It’s how we treat one another and live in a spirit of unity.

Even in this very verse the Apostle tells us that as members of one body, we are called to have harmony between us. That’s not even taking into account the fact that he just talked about forgiveness, love, compassion, and patience.

The other word we need to look at is the word, rule. I’ve heard it taught that if you follow where your heart has peace, you’ll always make the right decision. Is that true?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not always peaceful about God’s will for my life. He sometimes calls me to do things I’m not comfortable with. I don’t think Jonah had peace concerning going to Nineveh.

Understanding this word, rule, is important. It comes from a Greek word that literally means the umpire of a contest, who awards the prize. That brings a whole new light to this verse.

In the context of how we treat one another in the body of Christ, peace is the umpire. I allow the Holy Spirit to work His will in me with all of these virtues. Then, when I see the peace of God active in me – a harmony between me and other believers – that’s the proof that I’m qualified for the prize.

That brings me to the final sentence of this verse. Paul didn’t just add a random comment to the end of this. The word “and” should tell you that this is all one sentence in the original.

That word, grateful, has a primary meaning of being well-favored. If we follow through on Paul’s exhortation in verses 12-15, then we will be well-favored. Not only by God, but by our brothers and sisters around us.

So, as I’ve said before, context is everything. I hope you’ve had an open mind while reading this post. And I hope that it’s a blessing to you. My prayer is that by receiving it, you’ll be well-favored.

Question: How well do you allow the Holy Spirit to work His peace in your relationships?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 31, 2024 in Fellowship, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Worshiping as One

13 Dec
Worshiping as One

We’re continuing to go through Paul’s letter to the Colossians. He has given them some important instructions. Now he makes a statement that we need to understand.

In the past I’ve talked about true worship. The ability to worship Christ is one of the greatest gifts that we’ve been given. It takes place when we enter God’s presence. It doesn’t matter where we are on earth; it’s our position in the spirit that counts.

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Colossians 2:5 NIV

We find that it’s through worship that the body of Christ is brought into unity. That’s why Scripture calls it the unity of the spirit. When we pray in the spirit, we’re united with the Holy Spirit. Of course, if we’re united with God’s Spirit, then we are also united with each other.

The writer of the book of Hebrews saw this very clearly.

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect…
Hebrews 12:22-23 NIV

When we begin to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth, it’s like we’re being transported before His throne. As we enter into worship, we find that we’re a part of two groups.

First, we’re a part of the church of Jesus Christ on the earth. That’s what Paul was talking about when he told the church he was present with them in spirit.

But there’s another group that I find myself with when I worship. According to the above verse, I’m with the spirits of righteous men made perfect. I believe that it’s talking about those who have passed on and are now in the Lord’s presence.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 NIV

We are worshiping with the saints on earth and in heaven.

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
Revelation 4:4 NIV

When I come before God’s throne to worship Him, I’m together with believers from both the Old and New Testaments. It’s a mind-blowing thought – that I can enter the universal chorus of worship that surrounds the Lord’s throne.

Some people are just waiting for the day when they can be a part of this heavenly worship. Little do they know that they can enter it right now, wherever they are.

Take advantage of this great gift. Enter the Lord’s presence in spirit and truth. Allow yourself to be caught up in the unity that only comes from being with Him.

Question: How often do you set aside to worship Christ in the spirit?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 13, 2023 in Encouragement, Fellowship, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, The Church, Worship

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

United Together

06 Sep
United Together

We’re currently studying Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. In my last post we saw Paul’s assumption concerning our life in Christ. Now the apostle shows us the results of these things.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

If verse 1 is at work in you (I talked about those in my last post) then these things should be the result. The apostle was rejoicing at the thought of the church living on this level of ministry. We should be striving for the same things.

Being like-minded. This means that we have the same view of things. It’s all about our agreement. This is something that gives power to a ministry.

Too often we see churches that are a conglomeration of warring factions. Each one is trying to outmaneuver the other. That’s not the way things should be.

If we have the same view of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, then we should be able to work together in harmony. There doesn’t need to be total agreement on every subject, but submission to God’s plan should be the number one priority.

Having the same love. The same as what? I believe that this is referring back to verse 1. That verse talks about His love, meaning the love of Christ.

We need to walk in that same agape love that Jesus manifested. If you remember from my last post, I talked about the Lord’s love persuading us. The more I learn of His love, the more I love like Jesus did.

It seems to me that this is something we lack in this generation. When I see the discussions online, I wonder where the love is sometimes. Doctrine without love is never correct. People should be able to see our love in spite of any doctrinal differences.

Being one in spirit. This is actually a poor translation of what Paul said. The word, spirit (pneuma) is not in this verse. It’s the word, soul (psuche) that the apostle uses. So, in essence, he’s telling us to be co-souled. (Yes, I made up that word, but it’s what Paul said!)

The Lord wants the church to look like it has one soul. That’s why I’m against a church being run by democratic voting. It should be based upon prayer, and a consensus of what God is speaking to His people. If there is sharp disagreement, then that’s a sign that more prayer is needed.

The one mind that this talks about is not our humanity. It’s being in submission to the mind of God. That’s harder to do. It’s easy to take a vote. It’s more inconvenient to seek the heart of God’s will.

Being one in purpose. Of all the things on this list, that’s by far the toughest to accomplish. The word, purpose, means our thought process, opinions, and interests. This doesn’t just happen overnight. And, it for sure doesn’t happen by argument and debate.

It’s all about what I taught in my last post. That was how Paul led into this whole subject. There’s only one way that individual people can have the same purpose. We must submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love, the participation with the Holy Spirit, and a passion for God’s will.

As long as we want to walk in our own wisdom, the world will never be affected. This was the prayer of Jesus right before He went to the cross.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:20-23 NIV

That prayer says it all. We need to have that same devotion to Christ. Then, the world will be drawn to the cross.

Question: What will it take for the church to reach this level of unity?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on September 6, 2023 in Anointing, Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Revival, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

The Basis for Unity

04 Sep
The Basis for Unity

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Philippians. We now come to chapter two. Remember, this letter deals with the church as a body of believers joined together in Christ.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…

Philippians 2:1 NIV

Paul is now setting the stage for how we work together as one body. He starts with the word, “if”. But don’t get the idea that these things are optional. The assumption Paul is working with, is that all these statements are true.

These are actually four truths that are the foundation of our unity in Christ. We need to understand them so that we can see them manifest in us.

Encouragement from being united with Christ. The word, encouragement, literally means to call beside. That’s the job of a coach on a winning team.

Actually, it’s a word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 NIV

When the Holy Spirit is called the Counselor, the same word is used as encouragement, above. I personally would use the word Coach for that aspect of the Holy Spirit. He’s the one who calls alongside us. He’s training us to become what we need to be.

Comfort from His love. This word for comfort actually means a persuasive address. This word for love, agape, is not emotional. It’s a choice to make a positive contribution into the life of another. As we spend time with Christ, His love begins to persuade us.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV

All of our old prejudices and hatred must be nailed to the cross. Our old life was crucified with Christ. Now His love can persuade me to minister as He would. I just need to allow that persuasion to have its way in me.

Fellowship with the Spirit. This is another important truth. The word, fellowship, means a participation. We need to learn to participate with the Holy Spirit.

It seems to me that for the most part, we ignore the Holy Spirit. We should be working with Him as our great Coach. He’s the One who will lead and guide us into our destiny in Christ. How closely do we follow His plan for us?

We should be spending quality time with the Spirit. Not just rattling off a list of needs, but listening for His gentle voice speaking to us. That’s where the true power of God is found.

Tenderness and compassion. Here, Paul uses two words for our internal organs. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews saw them as the seat of our passions and emotions.

As I look at the previous three truths, I notice that they are choices we need to make. I choose to submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love and the participation with the Spirit.

However, there’s one more factor that makes our walk with God and each other complete. We need passion and emotion in our spiritual life. That’s what makes our Christian experience exciting.

Too many believers act like spiritual robots. They just seem to be going through the motions, doing what they feel they need to do. If that’s you, then you need to spend time in the Holy Spirit, picking up His passion for ministry.

Then you’ll find that serving God is not something you have to do, but something that you get to do. You’ll pick up the joy of the Lord.

Question: How well are you participating with the Spirit in these four areas?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on September 4, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Together in Spiritual Warfare

01 Sep
Together in Spiritual Warfare

As we go through the book of Philippians, we now come to a very important truth. This is one of the epistles that the Holy Spirit used to concentrate on us as a body of believers.

After explaining the possibility of persecution for the faith, Paul gives the church this command.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God.

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV

In the past, I’ve posted about the connection between prayer in the spirit, unity, and the fight of faith. Did you know that they all go hand in hand? To read these posts, click here.

This is one of many Scriptures where we’re told to contend for the faith. I’ve read through this verse many times. After careful study, I’ve developed a very different take on this passage.

When I read it now, it sounds to me like an army general giving a final speech to his troops on the eve of battle. Listen to what Paul says. Stand firm in ONE SPIRIT. Contend as ONE MAN for the faith. How can this be done in the natural?

We know from God’s Word, that it can’t, it must be a work of the spirit. We must pray in the heavenly gift together, and so line up our spirits with each other and with the Holy Spirit. Only then can we stand firm in one “spiritual wind”. (The Greek word for wind and spirit is exactly the same.)

It’s without a doubt that prayer in the spirit unifies the church for war. This gift is the unifying factor in the body of Christ. There is, however, a deeper reason for using prayer in the spirit as a part of our warfare. I found this, of all places, while watching the Weather Channel.

They were airing a special about wind. Scientifically, the wind is simply air molecules in motion. They talked about everything from light winds to severe winds.

You would think that a 40 MPH wind is twice as strong, does twice the damage of a 20 MPH wind. So did I, and I was wrong. The effect of wind on its environment is an exponential increase as the speed increases.

This means that because of the nature of wind, a 40 MPH wind is actually ten times the strength and effect of a 20 MPH wind. Take hurricanes for example. A Category 1 hurricane, the weakest, is about 75 MPH. The strongest, a Category 5, is about 135 MPH. Even though it has twice the wind speed, a Category 5 hurricane does ten times the damage of a Category 1.

What does any of this have to do with prayer in the spirit? Well, all of this talk about the exponential increase of wind should remind you of a spiritual truth.

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede.

Deuteronomy 32:30-31 NIV

We usually quote this by saying, “one can put a thousand to flight and two shall put ten thousand to flight.” Whether you know it or not this verse is speaking about the exponential increase of the move of the Spirit of God.

The truth we need to learn is that prayer in the spirit has an exponential effect on the object of that prayer. This is the true power of corporate prayer in the spirit.

This is an important truth for us to learn. That’s because of the generation we’re living in. There’s a rise in persecution against the church taking place. This is what Paul is referring to. He continues that thought.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:29-30 NIV

We need to begin contending together, as one man for the faith. The requires corporate prayer in the spirit.

Question: Why is the power of corporate prayer in the spirit largely untapped in our generation?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on September 1, 2023 in Faith, Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Warfare, The Church, Word of God

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Unity – Not Just a Suggestion

21 Apr
Unity – Not Just a Suggestion

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church, we’re seeing how we are to function as a body of believers. We’re called to guard the spirit of unity that Christ brought us into. Paul continues with that thought.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

I’m amazed that the Holy Spirit felt the need to emphasize the fact that there’s only one body and only one Spirit. Too often we think of the church as a group of different entities. Each denomination has its own structure and belief system.

That’s not how the Lord planned it to work. When He looks at the earth, Christ sees one body of believers. We’re the ones who place these virtual divisions into His church.

This verse literally says that we were called with one hope of our calling. To understand what he’s saying, you have to know the biblical definition of hope.

It has nothing to do with the modern concept of wishful thinking. We’re not just “trusting that everything will turn out alright”.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 NIV

The Scripture is clear. We’re not just wishing that God will do what He says. We fully expect to see God’s will accomplished in us.

That’s what hope is all about in the Bible. It’s an expectation that we’ll see the manifestation of God’s promises.

So, when we read the above verse in Ephesians, we understand that there’s only one calling. That’s because the word, you, is plural in the Greek. We are called with one calling and one expectation of that calling.

That’s why it annoys me so much when someone says that they are personally called to do something for God. Then, they proceed to push themselves forward and walk over other believers in their attempt to “fulfill their calling”.

There is only one call and one hope. Each of us has a role to play in accomplishing it. But we’re called to work together, just as our body functions as a unit.

It would be foolish to think that my right hand had a goal that only it could do by itself. That would be outside the realm of reality. But, in the church, we act like that very often.

Paul continues to clarify this thought. There is only one Lord – one Commander-in-Chief. He’s the one giving us our marching orders. His plan includes everybody.

This means that there’s only one who we put our trust in. We don’t trust any human leader or even positive thinking. We place our trust and our hope firmly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then we’re told that there’s one baptism – that’s a word that’s too religious. It’s a Greek word that means immersion. We are all immersed into one thing – the body of Christ. That’s why Paul makes it clear that God the Father is over all, through all, and in all.

If we’re going to accomplish the work that God has called us to, then we need to ignore all of our man-made differences. We must focus on the calling of the church. Then, we find our place in God’s plan and obey His instructions to us.

That’s actually what Paul is going to get into as he continues in this epistle. So, over the next few weeks, we’ll see how this progresses.

Question: Where do you see yourself in the body of Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 21, 2023 in Ministry, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

The Unity of the Spirit

19 Apr
The Unity of the Spirit

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church, we must keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is beginning to emphasize our corporate walk. He’s showing us how to function together as the body of Christ on earth. This thought continues.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

In order to grasp this, we must first define the term, unity. We must understand that there’s a big difference between unity and agreement. Most Christians use these two terms interchangeably. Actually, they’re two very different truths.

The Word of God is clear that agreement is when we think and believe the same way.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19

In this verse, the Greek word that’s translated, agree, is sumphoneo. It’s where we get our English word symphony. It literally means to sound together. You agree on the facts, so you speak the same thing.

This means that if I believe Jesus is Healer, and you believe Jesus is Healer, we’ll sound the same when we speak. In that case, we’re in agreement. That makes it a function of our soul.

Unity is a whole different thing. Look at the above verse from Ephesians again.

In the same way that agreement is a function of our soul, unity is a function of our spirits. What we need to realize is that we’ve already been made one in Christ. It’s now our job to keep or guard the unity of the spirit.

In the Greek, the phrase, make every effort, means to use prompt and earnest effort. This tells me that it requires work on our part. There’s something we need to do. In order to keep this unity, it will require the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.

It’s all about allowing the Lord to connect me to those around me in the body of Christ. Only then can we fulfill our calling together. Listen to Paul’s exhortation to the Philippian church.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…

Philippians 1:27 NIV

Whenever I read this verse, I have to change the tone of my voice. This should be read like a general encouraging his troops on the eve of battle. Their goal is to have complete victory over their enemy.

It’s the same for the church of Jesus Christ. Everyday should be considered life on a battleground. As a matter of fact, Paul will get into that further on in this letter to the Ephesians.

Too many believers don’t understand this fact. They think that they can float through life caring only for themselves. That’s a recipe for defeat.

The Lord, Himself, as well as the apostles make it clear that we’re in a spiritual battle. If that’s the case, then it’s impossible to win this victory all by ourselves.

Paul’s commands are perfectly clear. We are to stand firm in one spirit. That’s the only way that we can be contending as one man for the Gospel. In order to do that, we need to line up our spirits with the Holy Spirit.

I believe that this means we need to be praying in the spirit. It’s this prayer in the spirit that unifies us for the spiritual war that we face each day. This is the unifying factor in the church.

Question: How often are you involved in corporate prayer in the spirit?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 19, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Unity in Christ

22 Mar
Unity in Christ

I’m currently talking about Ephesians, chapter 2. We’ve been looking at the peace that we have with each other in Christ. It’s the basis of our unity of the Spirit.

Paul explains why this peace was so important to Christ.

His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Ephesians 2:15-17 NIV

Some people think that all Christ did on the cross was to take away our sin. Although that was a big part of it, Jesus did a whole lot more. This verse tells us another important aspect of the cross.

God’s purpose was to reconcile all of mankind to Himself. In order to do that, He had to do away with our hostility toward one another. He took all of that hatred with Him to the cross.

This is something that all believers need to come to grips with. All human hatred was put to death on the cross. Because of that, we are now all a part of one new body – the body of Christ on the earth.

When this verse was written, the biggest challenge was between Jew and Gentile. The Jewish people were called out by God as the conduit for the bloodline of the Messiah. Jesus Christ was born as a son of Abraham.

In Himself, Jesus had both sides of the covenant. He was both God and man. He was the perfect mediator to reconcile all of humanity to God. By doing this, He brings all people together under His Lordship.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:17-18 NIV

This is the unity of the Spirit. Unity means oneness. We are all one in Christ Jesus. But that brings up some important points.

At one time I was attending some meetings in Texas. I got to meet with pastors from all over the USA. I remember one in particular.

She was a black pastor from the deep south. We had a good talk. I told her about my church, which looked like the United Nations on Sunday mornings. I asked what the different ethnic groups were in her church.

She gave me a strange look. Then she explained to me that where she comes from it doesn’t work like that. Sunday morning is the most segregated day of the week. Whites go to the white church, blacks go to the black church; and the same is true for Hispanics, Asians, Brazilians, etc.

Please hear me. I do understand that sometimes language and culture play a part in why certain groups will meet together. I’m fine with that.

However, there’s no excuse for allowing racial bias and prejudice to play a part in how we worship. As a matter of fact, I question whether you can truly be called a Christian if you’re prejudice against another group.

Listen to how the apostle John put it.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:9 NIV

John is clear that you’re not walking with Christ if you’re harboring hatred. That’s because Christ put that hatred to death on the cross. So, if you still hold on to it, you haven’t let the cross do its work.

John says it even clearer later on in his letter.

If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20 NIV

We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work this unity in us. We must see ourselves as one with all who submit to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Question: How does the unity of the Spirit affect your daily life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 22, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Relationships, The Church, The Gospel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus Christ is Our Peace

20 Mar
Jesus Christ is Our Peace

We’re continuing through the book of Ephesians. I’ve said that this letter starts the section of Scripture dealing with the church as the body of Christ. At this point Paul begins to dive into this subject.

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) – remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-13 NIV

Here the apostle starts by pointing out the wall that existed between Jew and Gentile. He tells us that it wasn’t just a matter of semantics. There were physical differences.

It wasn’t just the labels of Jew and Gentile. You were either circumcised or you were not. That can translate into our world as well.

People have placed these invisible walls between blacks and whites, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, as well as a host of other “opposites”. This section of Scripture speaks to all of these issues.

Paul makes it clear that without Christ there was no hope of reconciliation. The gap between the two groups was too great for us to bridge in our humanity.

But now…everything changes in Christ. Because of the blood of the Lord, shed on the cross, we can come together. We have been brought closer to each other in Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

Ephesians 2:14-15a NIV

This passage of Scripture is rich in meaning. It should be one that we memorize and apply daily. The truth is that Jesus Christ is our peace.

Now that’s a word we really need to understand. Too often when we read the word, peace in the Bible, we give it our modern definition. We think, peaceful, calm and quiet. That’s not what the Greek word means in this verse.

The main definition for this word, peace means that you’re not participating in a war. The secondary meaning is that there is harmony between individuals. It’s all about getting along with others.

This tells me that my ability to live harmoniously with others rests securely in my relationship with Christ. He is the peace between me and others. That’s especially true in regard to those who are very different than me.

That’s what being a part of Christ’s body means. I am in Christ. You are in Christ. Therefore, we are one. The color of our skin, our ethnicity, our experiences and our backgrounds don’t matter. God has made us one new person in Christ Jesus.

The fact is that in our humanity we were raised with many different biases. This verse calls them the dividing walls of hostility. Throughout my life, I’ve been taught to mistrust and look down on certain types of people. This is the baggage we all carry.

This needs to be laid aside at the cross. In Christ this “old man” needs to die. I now live as a new person. I am one with anybody who calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

Jesus took all the hatred and mistrust to the cross with Him. It was nailed there and now we can take on His peace. We can walk in unity with anyone who He brings across our path.

This is the true path to peace. It’s only found in Christ Jesus.

Question: How has your treatment of others changed since coming to Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 20, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Relationships, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

One Passion, One Mouth

25 Oct
One Passion, One Mouth

It seems like in this final part of the book of Romans, I’ve been posting a lot about relationships in the body of Christ. It’s all about understanding those who are serving Christ around me. I need to see and accept their differences, and work with them for God’s glory.

In my last post we saw that Paul showed how we can receive endurance and encouragement from the Scripture. He now continues that thought.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:5-7

His prayer is that the same God who gives endurance and encouragement will now give them a spirit of unity. But that phrase, spirit of unity, is interesting in the original Greek. It’s literally asking God to give us a mind toward one another.

This goes right along with what we’ve been saying about our spiritual relationships thus far. I should be thinking about you. You’re on my mind so that I can understand your calling. In that way I can see how we fit together in the body of Christ.

Truly, we’re not called to be an organization, but an organism. We should be functioning seamlessly together because of the Holy Spirit within us. As we hear the voice of the Spirit and watch over each other, we are now equipped to fulfill the next part of this passage.

Only in unity can we glorify God with one heart and one mouth. Especially since the word translated heart is really the word passion. As I spend time in the Spirit, I pick up God’s passion.

It’s not about me convincing you what you need to be passionate about. If we could all be synced to God’s heartbeat, then we’ll operate in one passion. Time with the Spirit brings true unity.

This is an important combination. He’s saying we need one passion and one mouth. That means that we’re operating in agreement and unity. Some churches seem to operate in one or the other, but the power is in both together.

The goal is for us to function together in these qualities. It’s not up to you to change in order to please me. That’s not what Christ did. He paid the price for me to enter His kingdom. Sometimes it will cost me something to overlook the faults and differences that you bring with you.

I must receive you just as Christ received me. Just as you are. I’m not the Holy Spirit. I have to leave room for God’s grace to work in you. None of us are perfect yet. The Lord receives us just the way we are and we need to do the same.

Unity is a choice. It’s unfortunate that when some people pray for the unity of the church, what they’re really praying is, “God, please making everyone else think like me.” That’s not true unity. It’s us choosing to work together as the Holy Spirit makes us begin to think like God.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 1:10

This is what we’re to strive for. To be perfectly united in mind and thought requires more than just good teaching. It means that I’m spending time in the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I allow the mind of Christ to take over my life, I’m setting the stage for the unity of the Spirit.

The more you and I begin to think like Christ, the more unity we’ll walk in. This is how the fellowship and unity of Christ can be manifest in His people. Make that your goal as we minister together for the Lord.

Question: What must I do to yield to the Holy Spirit?

© 2021 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on October 25, 2021 in Fellowship, Ministry, Relationships, The Church

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

← Older posts