tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1267152711326500355.post6576072330922182301..comments2023-07-26T10:19:37.174-05:00Comments on Stephen and Alisa Walton: Finding UnityStephen and Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09375773684762011816noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1267152711326500355.post-59213340012027366642011-03-07T11:46:51.479-06:002011-03-07T11:46:51.479-06:00Ted Mountjoy tried to post this on the blog but al...Ted Mountjoy tried to post this on the blog but also had trouble. Here is what he sent me...<br /><br /><br />Unity is essential so that the world may believe that the Father as sent Jesus. Complete unity to let the world know that God indeed sent Jesus and that God loves them as he has loved His Son. (Jn.17:20-23).<br /> <br />We should be willing to sacrifice anything but the one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) and the ones listed in Eph.4:4-5 to have unity. There is just one body, on Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God & Father. One means one. Essentially "one" communicates that this "one" is essential for unity. However, these "ones" cannot be properly understood outside of the context of Eph. 4:1-3 which says to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. To be completely humble and gentle, being patent, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to KEEP the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.<br /> <br />Some churches of the Restoration Movement have and are willing to give up anything, "ones" included, to have unity which is just as bad as those who are not willing to give up anything including tradition, they see everything as essential. Some have given up part of the "ones", some have given up most all of the "ones", and some have not given up any of the "ones" but won't give up any of their traditions either. There are some who are willing to give up everything except the "ones" I believe this is what is needed to have unity among believers.<br /> <br />Unity is found in following Christ if we truly follow Jesus the “ones” mentioned by the apostle Paul will be a natural result. So in answer to your question has the Restoration Movement lost it's pleas for unity so desired by the men who began it? Yes, for one I don't think half the people who attend our church know a thing about the Restoration Movement or its plea. In the more conservative churches of Christ they know about the Restoration Movement but hold on to the traditions as if they were mentioned as a "one" (essential. Therefore knowing and carrying out are completely two different things.<br /> <br />It is a constant struggle to have unity among believers and each generation must discover and/or be taught to hold on to the essentials (Jesus) and give up what we prefer (die to ourselves).<br /> <br />It's essential that we identify the "one body" because we're not called to be united with those who aren't of the “one body”. It is the unity of believers that must be united so that the world may believe. A believer is a follower of Christ, a disciple of Jesus. A disciple puts Jesus first above himself, everyone, and everything (Lk. 14:25-35). We won’t have unity with those who aren’t a disciple of Jesus, Jesus knew we wouldn’t (Mt. 5:10-12; 10:24-25, 32-39; Jn. 15:16-21; 17:14). <br /> <br />It is essential that we are united with other disciples, which requires us to identify a disciple of Jesus. Stephen it sounds like your experience in Iraq was with a man who had committed himself to follow Jesus. Now he may have needed to be shown the way of God more accurately as Priscilla and Acquila did with Apollos, maybe not. But if he did when shown he would follow Jesus just as any disciples of Jesus does, unity happens through Jesus not just doctrine, even though doctrine is essential.Stephen and Alisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375773684762011816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1267152711326500355.post-78672013587092991792011-03-07T11:45:56.720-06:002011-03-07T11:45:56.720-06:00Ryan Eidson tried to post this on the blog but had...Ryan Eidson tried to post this on the blog but had trouble. He sent this as an email so I thought I would post it...<br /><br />"The first step is to see that as disciples we are already united in Christ, that He is our unity! Once we have a revelation of our corporate identity, we can live together and practically express that unity, thus fulfilling His prayer for us. Our unity with each other and with Christ is the same that Jesus has with His Father throughout all eternity! ("I and the Father are one", "I am the Vine, you are the branches", many passages on this.)"Stephen and Alisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375773684762011816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1267152711326500355.post-19925411552060898952011-03-07T08:45:43.395-06:002011-03-07T08:45:43.395-06:00Great post. this is Paul Jordan BTWGreat post. this is Paul Jordan BTWPaulnoreply@blogger.com