I started this new thread, which touches on some things discussed on Centerplace.org
Regarding unity, or disunity, and our attempts to unify:
I felt the Holy Spirit leading me in writing the book, God's Strange Act. When I finished, after 2 years of intense writing, I literally felt like my work on earth might be finished. I felt what He had given me in that book was so important that it may be the chief reason I was put on the earth.
What I am quoting below is from the end of the book. I believe it is something we should consider in regards to many of the divisions and disagreements in the Body of Christ today.
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Jesus tells us that we must "Be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine." The principle matter before us now is HOW to become one. Our many attempts to become one over the years have not resulted in oneness. Ironically, our best attempts at bringing unity have yielded only greater and greater division. The problem is the manner by which we have tried to become one has failed us.
The chief manner by which many have tried to become one is to call others to their own camp. They then form a group, a church, or a committee, and call others to come join them. When others fail to join with what they are doing, a division occurs. Some have resorted to debate and intellectual argument, often partaking from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, rather than partaking of and inviting others to the Tree of Life. It is only by partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life that a right relationship and proper understanding in God can occur.
So, how will we ever become one? Thankfully, the Lord has given us the answer.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. [John 10:16]
In this verse is found a simple principle: Jesus is going to bring all the tribes (the people of God) together into one fold. He will accomplish it. What enables this to happen? He speaks to them, and they hear His voice! They learn to hear Him for themselves, and they allow Him, not any man, to be their true shepherd (their Head). One fold-one Shepherd. This brings us back to the importance of a very close, intimate relationship with the Holy One of Israel.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. [Jeremiah 31:34]
This prophecy speaks of the last days. God's people are to be taught from on high. Everyone is to know God for themselves. This does not belittle the need for priesthood or leadership in the Body of Christ. But it does help us comprehend the real goal of every ministry that is truly of God-to bring souls unto Christ, so that they can receive all they need from Him. He is the vine, we are the branches.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and HE will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem … [Isaiah 2:3]
Years ago I participated in a movement, which I will testify to as being of God. It was called the "Unity Movement." The calling and message that Joseph F. Smith brought to the Restoration Branches from God was to set aside their differences, not by throwing them out as being unimportant but, rather, to set them on a shelf long enough to come together and learn to seek God as one. By looking up, we would be able to receive direction from Him.
At one of the Unity Conferences I attended, a man stood and bore witness that he and his brother were (at one time) as far away from each other in their understanding of the Scriptures and doctrine as two people in the same Church could be. They hardly agreed on anything. Then they were called to work together with the Indians in the missionary field. It was this man's testimony that in doing the work God had called them to do they became as close as any two brothers could be-even in understanding the Scriptures and the proper way to handle the work they were doing together. This happened because of their experiences with God while working together in spite of their differences. It happened because they were forced to set aside their differences and move out in faith to perform their work. It was in working that the Spirit of God brought them together.
This testimony has always stayed with me, and I have always known it to be the truth. I have had that testimony confirmed to me many times since, and even recently as I studied the book of Ruth. She was a woman who lost her inheritance in Ephraim when her husband died. She then went to work in the field, and it was while working in the field that she met Boaz. He gave her gifts (nourishment) and placed his covering (protection) over her. This Boaz was a type and shadow of Jesus Christ, who will likewise meet us in the field … if we will go.
When we do so, we (in effect) gather to the one camp we all should be able to agree on. We gather to the Lord's camp! In this way, people from various groups can come together, bring ministry, convert and baptize souls to Christ - instead of trying to convince someone to join this group or that. Though we may be from different groups with slightly different ideas, we mostly all agree on the fundamental basics. We can acknowledge that despite these differences, and the fact that we attend different groups, we are all part of one body, seeking unity by seeking God and doing the work He has called us to do - rather than seeking unity by forming committees, taking votes, or enacting further legislation.
Blessings!!!
Regarding unity, or disunity, and our attempts to unify:
I felt the Holy Spirit leading me in writing the book, God's Strange Act. When I finished, after 2 years of intense writing, I literally felt like my work on earth might be finished. I felt what He had given me in that book was so important that it may be the chief reason I was put on the earth.
What I am quoting below is from the end of the book. I believe it is something we should consider in regards to many of the divisions and disagreements in the Body of Christ today.
************************************************
Jesus tells us that we must "Be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine." The principle matter before us now is HOW to become one. Our many attempts to become one over the years have not resulted in oneness. Ironically, our best attempts at bringing unity have yielded only greater and greater division. The problem is the manner by which we have tried to become one has failed us.
The chief manner by which many have tried to become one is to call others to their own camp. They then form a group, a church, or a committee, and call others to come join them. When others fail to join with what they are doing, a division occurs. Some have resorted to debate and intellectual argument, often partaking from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, rather than partaking of and inviting others to the Tree of Life. It is only by partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life that a right relationship and proper understanding in God can occur.
So, how will we ever become one? Thankfully, the Lord has given us the answer.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. [John 10:16]
In this verse is found a simple principle: Jesus is going to bring all the tribes (the people of God) together into one fold. He will accomplish it. What enables this to happen? He speaks to them, and they hear His voice! They learn to hear Him for themselves, and they allow Him, not any man, to be their true shepherd (their Head). One fold-one Shepherd. This brings us back to the importance of a very close, intimate relationship with the Holy One of Israel.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. [Jeremiah 31:34]
This prophecy speaks of the last days. God's people are to be taught from on high. Everyone is to know God for themselves. This does not belittle the need for priesthood or leadership in the Body of Christ. But it does help us comprehend the real goal of every ministry that is truly of God-to bring souls unto Christ, so that they can receive all they need from Him. He is the vine, we are the branches.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and HE will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem … [Isaiah 2:3]
Years ago I participated in a movement, which I will testify to as being of God. It was called the "Unity Movement." The calling and message that Joseph F. Smith brought to the Restoration Branches from God was to set aside their differences, not by throwing them out as being unimportant but, rather, to set them on a shelf long enough to come together and learn to seek God as one. By looking up, we would be able to receive direction from Him.
At one of the Unity Conferences I attended, a man stood and bore witness that he and his brother were (at one time) as far away from each other in their understanding of the Scriptures and doctrine as two people in the same Church could be. They hardly agreed on anything. Then they were called to work together with the Indians in the missionary field. It was this man's testimony that in doing the work God had called them to do they became as close as any two brothers could be-even in understanding the Scriptures and the proper way to handle the work they were doing together. This happened because of their experiences with God while working together in spite of their differences. It happened because they were forced to set aside their differences and move out in faith to perform their work. It was in working that the Spirit of God brought them together.
This testimony has always stayed with me, and I have always known it to be the truth. I have had that testimony confirmed to me many times since, and even recently as I studied the book of Ruth. She was a woman who lost her inheritance in Ephraim when her husband died. She then went to work in the field, and it was while working in the field that she met Boaz. He gave her gifts (nourishment) and placed his covering (protection) over her. This Boaz was a type and shadow of Jesus Christ, who will likewise meet us in the field … if we will go.
When we do so, we (in effect) gather to the one camp we all should be able to agree on. We gather to the Lord's camp! In this way, people from various groups can come together, bring ministry, convert and baptize souls to Christ - instead of trying to convince someone to join this group or that. Though we may be from different groups with slightly different ideas, we mostly all agree on the fundamental basics. We can acknowledge that despite these differences, and the fact that we attend different groups, we are all part of one body, seeking unity by seeking God and doing the work He has called us to do - rather than seeking unity by forming committees, taking votes, or enacting further legislation.
Blessings!!!
