15 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 NIV
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, REMEMBERING THAT AS MEMBERS OF THE SAME BODY YOU WERE CALLED TO LIVE IN HARMONY AND NEVER FORGET TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU. Colossians 3, Philips NT
This verse from Colossians 3 reminds us that we are all members of one body and there should be Peace amongst Believers. Sadly this is not always the case and even David suffered some of his deepest wounds from those who went up to worship with him. Those closest to us have power to hurt us most, because we trust them most.
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE. Ephesians 4
In the mid 1990s I travelled a number of times to a conference in Jerusalem. Participants were encouraged to sign up to pray in one hour slots around the full twenty four hours each day. The aim was to provide a continuous prayer covering throughout the time of the meetings. I found myself praying late night/early morning with a lovely older German lady and another gentleman I didn’t know. (The lady wrote prophetic updates given her by the Lord and sent them out as an encouragement to believers). Anyway, for some reason, long forgotten now, I became exasperated with the other gentleman who had been praying in the previous hour before he left the room. The German lady told me quietly after he left that when I BECAME AGITATED that God’s Spirit left the room. I was upset and repented that my words had such a devastating impact.
Our words and attitudes are more powerful than we realise, so we must guard ourselves when we’re in the presence of other believers and therefore the indwelling Spirit of God. THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT ISN’T JUST THEORY, IT’S A REALITY IN THAT REALM.
9 Do not complain/grumble about one another, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5
The Church has great power in UNITY (Unstoppable) God honours those who honour His body here on earth and the converse is also true.
God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.