Friday, October 7, 2016

UNITY UNTAINTED - By Robert E. Hanna




   UNITY  UNTAINTED 
 By Robert E. Hanna



Scripture Reading: Romans 12:16, 18

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and elamour,  and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice"  (Ephesians 4:31). Cogent words to the conscientious believer!  Of course, the driving force behind compliance with this  instruction, is love. "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved  us" (Ephesians 5:2a). All our efforts inspired by human  strength are in vain unless accompanied by the indispensable  ingredient-love.

Our apostle affirms: "Though I have the gift of prophecy,  and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though  I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, AND HAVE  NOT LOVE, I am nothing" (I Corinthians 13:2). Those  characteristics which comprise the enablement of saints to  faithfully fulfill their spiritual responsibilities are the product  of the Holy Spirit. "The fruit ofthe Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,  temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23a). But like any fruit, it first  must be harvested before it can generate energy. It is at our  disposal, but we must be willing to make use of it to His glory.  Thus Paul urges, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the  Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

Our proper testimony must take two directions: (1) Our  fellowship with other believers and (2) Our association with  non-believers. Regarding the first, we are encouraged to "Be  of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high  things .... Be not wise in your own conceits." Of the second: "If  it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all  men."



 Transformed By Grace 

Kevin Sadler



Transformed By Grace #1 - Unity in Christ
Transformed By Grace #2 - One Body in Christ
Transformed By Grace #3 - The Apostle of Grace
Transformed By Grace #4 - The Gifts of Christ
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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