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In one spirit we are able to stand firm when the enemy assaults us.
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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
In Philippians 1:27, the Apostle tells God’s community to live out lives worthy of the good news of Christ and his kingdom. In Ephesians 4, he urges God’s people to walk consistent with God’s Gospel call upon their lives. In both of Paul’s letters, he is speaking to the body-family-kingdom citizens. In other words, this is not merely a personal exhortation to you and me, but an address to all of God’s people. We are formed as a body, a family, and a holy colony through Jesus. We are bonded together with the glue of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) tethered to the core with God’s common mission and goals. We are one (Ephesians 4:4-6) because God the Father-Son-Spirit is one. This kind of oneness is not of uniformity but comes as a unity together from the union we have in Jesus.
In the Philippians passage, we are told to strive side-by-side through one mind (not strive against one another). The picture is that of vigorously working together as an athletic team or soldiers marching forward with shields locked together and javelins braced for impact. Yet we, with great diversity do this together (Roman 12) in special unity to advance the cause of Christ and his kingdom of peace, righteousness, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Roman 14:17). We intentionally advance against the powers of darkness knowing full well that the forces of the world fear Christ in his community, for his work is a sign of their pending doom if they choose to remain his opponents. What’s more, the gates of Hell’s kingdom will never prevail.
In one spirit we are able to stand firm when the enemy assaults us. Us. Not me the lone individual. Us together. Here in Littleton, South Fellowship is a community of Christ followers, bonded together. The Lord has moved our church to engage the world through many ways that serve grace, justice, love and mercy to others. We partner with various agencies, mission organizations, and non-profit groups. God has also led members to develop ministries that serve our own little “village” as well as others outside of us. This is how it should be as this is some of what it means to strive and move forward striving side-by-side in Christ.
If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, you’re part of God’s community. God desires all of us to strive together in union and unity. You may still be looking for a way to do this. If you call South Fellowship home, come explore why we serve as followers of Christ, discovery your spiritual gifts and match who God has made you to be at this time in your life with opportunities to serve here at South, in our community and around the world. This Connection Point class begins this Sunday in room 106 at 9 AM. Click here for more information![/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_column_text]
By Don Owsley
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