Category Archives: Union

Bible, Diligent, Holy Spirit, Peace, Preserve, Scripture, Union

UNIFIED

EPHESIANS 4:3

“being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

“All for one and one for all.” “There is no ‘I’ in TEAM.” You’ve heard all the cliches, I am sure. And they are all good to spur on teamwork and unity among a group of people. Just watch a riot on tv and listen. They are all shouting the same (usually hateful) message. You’ve heard them. Even though you may not agree with their tactics, you have to admit they sure work hard at being unified. You see, being unified isn’t just about being unified. You need to have the right message.

Paul tells us that message in verse 3 of chapter 4 of Ephesians. Look at the verse again. “being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Our goal for unification is the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace. These early Christians were still under a lot of persecution. It would have been easy to get a mob together and protest their treatment. Paul says they are to be peaceable and diligent. Think how you can exhibit those traits today.

APPLICATION

The phrase “being diligent” is spoudázō, which means to “be swift (go fast, be speedy);” (HELPS Word studies). Don’t mess around. Get it done. The same word is used in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Be diligent to do what? “To keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” What in the world does that mean? How can we put that to use today? The word “keep” is tereo and means to spiritually guard, keep intact. Do you know what I have discovered? Anything I want to keep intact has to have some borders or some kind of container. That’s what Paul means when he says, “the unity of the Spirit.” Nothing else can unify us.

This “bond” is the word sundesmos. Now, get this. This word comes from sun (closely identified with) and deo (to bind). In other words, it means “a close (inner) identity which produces close harmony between members joined closely together.” (HELPS Word studies). That’s what Paul is telling the Ephesians and us. As believers, we are to be closely bound together in peace. We cannot allow the world to tear us apart. Do your part today to keep the peace.

Father, only through Your Spirit can I keep this unity among my fellow believers.

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Abiding, Bible, Division, Enemies, God's Will, Scripture, Union

A DIVISION

ZECHARIAH 11:14

“Then I cut in pieces my second staff Union, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.”

I don’t like division in the family. When I am at odds with my sweet wife, normally over something I have done, I feel awful. I want to make things right. I want union. I want harmony. Sometimes, however, division cannot be stopped. Things happen to divide you. It’s out of your control. Then what do you do?

Judah and Israel had been drawn together because of the temple and Jerusalem. However, with the destruction of the temple and their city, the tribes were dispersed by the enemy. They were separated from each other and lost that bond. This is what Zechariah is referring to in his prophecy in verse 14. The day was coming when this would be fulfilled.

APPLICATION

How we handle conflict and division says a lot about our walk with Jesus. Are we the instigator or the cause of the division? We know that is sin and must be confessed. Is someone else the reason the division exists? How can you point them to the answer? We will never find the answer in ourselves. We have to turn to the Word.

Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 4:1-3, especially verse 3. “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Look closely at Paul’s words there. We have to walk worthy, in humility and gentleness, with patience, bear others in love, and work hard to preserve the peace. It all starts with walking worthy. It’s not us doing this. It’s Christ in us. Our flesh only wants what it wants. But the Spirit will move us towards peace, if we submit. Just like Judah and Israel, we are going to face divisions at times that we cannot avoid. How will you respond?

I am thankful, Lord, that I am united with You and am forever joined to Christ.

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Abiding, Bible, Covenant, Discipline, Favor, Scripture, Union

TWO STAFFS

ZECHARIAH 11:7

“‘So I pastured the flock doomed to slaughter, therefore also the afflicted of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Favor, and the other I called Union; so I pastured the flock.’”

I have been married almost thirty-eight years. My wife and I are stuck with each other, lol. Neither of us has time to “train” somebody else. Just kidding. We are bound together in a covenant relationship. We are also bound together in love. Those two parts work together to help us succeed in this relationship. On the days when our love seems to drop (and those days are few and far between), our covenant to each other holds us fast.

The Lord is still addressing His unruly children in today’s verse. He mentions two staffs – Favor and Union. The one staff named Favor is just that – it is a symbol of His love and mercy in their lives. Time and time again He had shown them favor. The other staff – Union – is a reminder that they are bound together. They are His children. Nothing is going to change that.

APPLICATION

As a believer, we have a covenant relationship with the Lord that can never be severed. We are bound through the blood of Jesus. God also shows His favor to us over and over. He showers us with blessings. He forgives our sins. He protects us from harm. He sees us through trials that He allows to make us more like His Son.

Favor and Union are still real today in the Christian’s life. Don’t forget that! Don’t let Satan rob you from the promises you have in Jesus. You are His favorite child. You are His prized possession. You are His heir to all He has. You are special. Why? Because He chose you.

I love John 15:16 which says, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” He chose me. He chose you. Live like it.

O Father, thank You for Your staffs of Favor and Union. I know I can depend on You always.

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