Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Relatively Speaking

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I’ve heard visiting relatives are like dead fish: both stink by the third day! Whether that’s true depends on the relatives, I suppose. But one thing’s for sure: relationships are meant to be mutually beneficial and very little happens without them. Besides familial, friendship, and commercial advantages, relationships become the backbone for things like discipleship, charity, correction, and conflict resolution.

Discipleship. This only works when trusting, intimate relationships provide a conduit for learning and spiritual growth. Jesus utilized existing relationships and built upon them with friends such as James, John, Peter, Andrew, and Philip. He also grew new, trusting discipleship-focused relationships through existing connections: Nathanael, by way of Philip, is a great example. What else? Imitation!

Discipleship demands relationship-enabled imitation. Jesus “did what He saw the Father do, spoke what He heard the Father speak.” Paul imitated Jesus, and the Thessalonians imitated Paul. Then others imitated those folks. Do the math: disciples around Thessalonica, therefore, imitated the Father. Besides discipleship, relationships enable love and spiritual growth.

Charity and spiritual formation. God told Israel, and Jesus reiterated in Matthew 22:35-40, that we must honor Him with everything and love people. King Solomon explained in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 that “two are better than one” for prosperity, comfort, and safety. Effective relationships permit spiritual encouragement and equipping as we exhibit patience (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 3:12-13). Similarly, close relationships allow us to do this: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3) When that doesn’t work, we must resolve relational conflicts and reconcile.

Spiritual correction and conflict resolution. The apostle Peter wrote that “love covers a multitude of sins” as we seek to restore relationships (1 Peter 4:8; Galatians 6:1-2). They can be reconciled and healed through tender-heartedness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). We also use relationships to beat each other back into shape (spiritually speaking) as you’ll find in Proverbs 27:17. There’s a more sobering, and life-saving aspect to this, though.

Christians often say, “Who am I to judge?” but don’t buy into it! Jesus explained in Matthew 18:15-20 that our responsibility is lovingly calling out anti-Godly behavior. His half-brother James doesn’t mix words when he wrote that we must try to turn our Christian brothers and sisters from the ‘way of death’ (James 5:19-20). Need more? Check out 1 Corinthians chapter five and 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15 for examples of needing to judge (I like ‘assess’ better!) God-fearing, Christ-followers to stay on the Way of Life (sexual immorality and slackers, in these Corinthian and Thessalonian cases). But, spiritual correction requires deep, authentic and trusting relationships to work.

Summary. Deep, trusting relationships are necessary for things like discipleship, charity, correction, and conflict resolution. One way to put them to work is by presenting the good news of God’s Kingdom to the yet-to-be-churched; an airtight alibi is essential. Let’s hang out there next!

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

A Leap of Faith!

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Jesus encouraged us by saying that faith can move mountains. Fine. But what is faith, and how do we get and keep it? You’ll find that it is the outcome of experience turned into action. Let’s explore this by first defining faith.

Faith defined. Faith, confidence, belief, and assurance are synonymous and provide the foundation and motivation for all else in a Christian’s journey: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”(Hebrews 11:1)

Faith’s sources. Faith in all things related to God is born and nurtured, never meant to be blind. Even Jesus fostered great confidence about God’s Kingdom and power through Spirit-fueled miracles and fulfilling ancient promises. Our faith comes through learning about these things: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). A primary source is the Scriptures that “were inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Faith also develops by witnessing God’s work in people’s lives through testimonies and our own experiences as we activate what we’ve learned. Of course, the common experiential source is God’s Spirit, who works through us on God’s behalf, illuminates His words and ways, and nudges us to stay on the Way of Life (e.g., John 16:13). The vehicle for all of this is discipleship.

Creating a foundation through discipleship is of utmost importance in developing (and keeping!) faith. Besides charity, it is supposed to be the church’s focus. Every function within it must support discipleship, or the church becomes just a collection of nickels and noses fueling religious business: a whitewashed tomb. Discipleship demands walking with people in their daily rhythms of life as Jesus did. And, as He also did, it involves training, observing, correcting, and sending. Discipleship is the soil that produces good spiritual fruit (Matthew 13:3-8 & 18-23). It’s the stuff of obedience, imitation, and replication that ensures faith is, and faith does.

Faith is as faith does! We love claiming that we are ‘saved by faith alone’ as if actionless belief in Jesus alone magically keeps us from God’s judgment. As Paul Harvey often quipped, “Now for the rest of the story!” Faith in God through Jesus MUST lead to charity (Godly love): “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. …” (James 1:22-25) “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. … But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:17-20)

Summary. Faith is confidence in what God has done and is doing. It is built through experiences born of discipleship and the Spirit, and it must produce. Relationships are the backbone of discipleship, so let’s go there next time. Meanwhile, believe, grow spiritually, and get to work!

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Humility … Jesus-style!

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The gentle will be blessed with inheriting the earth; the merciful receive mercy; the peacemaker is called a son of God (Matthew 5:5-9). These states of being require humility—lowering one’s self-importance to a place where they disappear and the ultimate good of others and obedience to God become dominant. This is desirable because God loves the humble and opposes the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Our cancerous self-centeredness and citizenship in the ‘most individualistic nation in the world’ make humility nearly impossible, and we don’t see the behavior modeled often. So, I thought I’d help. After all, who wants to be opposed by God?!? What is humility? What isn’t?

False humility. To respond after condemnation with, “I mess up too …” without stating any sins (certainly not the BIG ones!) is one example. It can come as “humble bragging” or self-righteous prayers. Sometimes, false humility downplays abilities in the shadow of an underlying superior attitude. Humility is, and does, none of these prideful things, though!

Humble is as humble does. Solomon, purportedly the wisest human ever, wrote in Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.” So, wisdom and humility can go hand in hand. The humble walk by God’s Spirit and are gentle, self-controlled, and kind in their childlike unconditional love and lack of self-inflation. Their reward? They will be exalted and elevated to significant positions in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 18:4; Luke 18:14).

And this is what humble does. The humble turn the other cheek and understand that just because something could be said doesn’t mean it should. They don’t brag, and their concern, prayers, and humility are sincere. Here are a few biblical examples of humility:

  • Jesus, although fretting about the incredible pain and suffering about to take place, and after asking God to take it from Him, obediently accepted His fate (Luke 22:42).
  • Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8-9). His reward? Exaltation and promotion!
  • “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
  • We place the well-being and ultimate good of others above our own: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
  • We patiently bear with others in the pursuit of peace, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
  • Finally, the prophet Micah teaches us that God requires us to “do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him” (Micah 6:8).

Summary. God loves the humble and peacemaker while opposing the proud, arrogant, fake, violent, or unloving. Which are you? Next time, we’ll step out in faith. Meanwhile, love justice and mercy, and walk humbly with God authentically.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Find Joy in Anything!

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Troubles come and go. Well, it seems that they mostly come these days. And then there’s work … and chores. Plenty of them! During all that, peace of mind and cheerfulness can be ever elusive. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Things that can make us unhappy don’t have to drag us down. Believe it or not, we can be cheerful amidst them. Even mundane tasks like doing dishes, mowing the lawn, or housework can be done cheerfully and for God’s glory through pure joy. What is ‘joy,’ and how is that possible?

Joy is a cheerfulness that comes from within. It manifests as calm delight or great gladness. Unlike happiness, which depends on external forces, joy’s cheerfulness is generated deep within our souls. Its power enables us to rejoice amidst trouble, as we see in James 1:2 (“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials”). The apostle echoes a similar sentiment in 2 Corinthians 7:4. Rejoicing during hardships might seem impossible, but God’s Spirit enables this ability.

He gives His Spirit to everyone who devotes to Him by ‘making Jesus Lord’ (Romans 10:8-10). That Spirit comforts us. Heals us. Illuminates so we see truth and life. He also produces joy when we walk with Him, as seen in Galatians 5:22 (“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”). When we allow the Spirit to change and guide us, anything good is possible—even being of good cheer in the middle of trouble or tedious chores. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century theologian, taught much about this.

She stressed that we could (and should) find joy in everyday tasks, thinking of them as acts of worshipful service. To her, daily duties should be a form of devotion; “even the most mundane tasks are opportunities to express love for God.” Joy can be found even in the smallest or most mundane task, “considering nothing too little when done for God.” How can we do this practically?

First, remember that God gave you life; every breath and act belongs to Him. Therefore, we can imagine that everything we do is for Him in some way. Second, the transforming power of God’s Spirit changes how we look at chores or hardship—our minds are renewed when we are in harmony with Him. Finally, turn boring stuff into challenges; congratulate yourself for accomplishing them or persevering through trials and trouble.

Summary. You can be joyful—of good cheer—during trouble or while doing boring tasks through the mind-transforming Spirit of God and approaching those situations differently. So, where will we go next? Let’s explore “Jesus in the Underworld” as I correct faulty thinking and traditions about what Jesus did when He was in the earth for three days before His resurrection. Until then, walk by God’s Spirit and find joy in anything, even the mundane!

God’s blessings and peace, Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

What’s Your Story?

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Mention the need to evangelize their faith, and Christians tend to freak out. They imagine having to go door to door handing out pamphlets and telling people about a Jesus they don’t often know how to verbalize. Evangelism isn’t meant to be this way. Instead, we’re to organically present the Kingdom of God through Holy Spirit-fueled actions and stories. Here are a couple of examples:

 [Jesus] said to her, “‘Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” The woman said to [Jesus], “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.” … “So the woman … went into the city and said to the men, Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done …” (John 4:16-19; 4:28-29)

And a leper came to Jesus, … saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. … [and he] went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere. (Mark 1:40-45)

Your experiences are your evangelism; no one can refute what God has done for you and through you. So, use what you know to introduce the Kingdom to those who need to meet Him. As you walk by the Spirit God has given you, verbalize your faith meaningfully. In other words, tell about your experiences and the Kingdom in speech and actions the unchurched will understand; meet them where they are. Don’t use ‘Christianese’ or words even most Christians don’t understand, like ‘propitiation’ or ‘sanctification.’ Your defense for your faith—your ‘elevator pitch,’ doesn’t even have to mention a God or Christ at first, which the hearer likely won’t know or understand.

Here’s a brief example: “I was a drunk. I’d lost everything. But in my darkest moment, I learned about the creator of everything, including you and me, who loves us so much and wants us to have a relationship with Him and be healed. He has changed my life, and, as you see, I’m a new person. You can be, too! Let me tell you how …”

Summary. God has worked with you and through you. Just act accordingly and talk about those things. Use what you know to introduce God to those who need Him. Next time, let’s learn how to find joy in anything. Meanwhile, share your Kingdom experiences—first by action, then by word if necessary.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Apocalyptic Poster Children

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I’m an ‘end times’ dude. Not an imperious date-setting soul, but someone interested in teaching people easy-to-understand truths about the end of this age and all it comprises. I published “Finding the End of the World” to do just that in 2011. Here, I’d like to clear up confusion about Revelation’s letters to seven churches to address real people with real problems.

Clearing the fog. Some teach that biblical history is divided into eras (dispensations) representing God’s interaction with people. Furthermore, historical dispensationalists insist that the seven churches of Revelation (chapters two and three) represent particular church ages from the apostles to Christ’s return. Don’t buy into it. The letters contain admonishments and praises to existing churches—nothing more, nothing less, although we can learn from them. Let’s begin our journey by introducing John’s Revelation and the letters.

Introduction to the Revelation. In about 95 CE, Emporer Domitian exiled John (and his scribe Prochorus) to Patmos. They penned the Revelation within two years until Emporer Nerva freed them. What was unveiled? Last-day events from increasing false Christs, war, famine, and earthquakes to great judgment and the new age. Chapter one introduces the Revelation, chapters two and three contain instructions to seven of John’s Asia Minor churches, chapters 4 and 5 prepare to unveil the future, and chapters 6:1 through 22:5 detail a future hinted at by Jesus 70 years beforehand (e.g., Matthew 24-25). Now, the letters.

The Letters.

  • Ephesus. This ‘great’ city had an assembly that refused to follow heretics but whose love for God, Christ, and each other had grown cold.
  • Smyrna. This ‘loveliest’ city was home to prideful Christian-persecuting Jews (‘Synagogue of Satan’). Saints would have to persevere through a short tribulation to inherit God’s Kingdom.
  • Pergamum. Called “Satan’s throne,” it was the pagan worship center of Asia. Heresies and immorality abounded, as did self-indulgence. Jesus said, “Change!”
  • Thyatira. True Christians refusing paganism and immoralities couldn’t buy and sell in the marketplace, although prophetess Jezebel misled some to compromise. Others standing fast would avoid God’s future wrath.
  • Sardis. A legendarily wealthy and degenerate city with a dead church (except for a few). Overcome or be erased from the Book of Life!
  • Philadelphia. City of brotherly love, city of earthquakes … and another Synagogue of Satan against the Church. Believers would face tribulation but be empowered by Jesus to persevere.
  • Laodicea. “Lukewarm Laodicea” existed between hot and cold springs, producing undesirable lukewarm water. It was wealthy, self-centered, indifferent, and lukewarm in faith. Jesus to Laodicean Christians: “Overcome and rule with Me!”

Summary. God gave Jesus warnings and commendations to send to overseers of seven Asia Minor churches. They were contained in seven letters (Revelation chapters three and four). The immoral would suffer God’s wrath, while overcomers would inherit God’s Kingdom. Read and heed! What’s next? Let’s explore godly superstars on the fringe. In the meantime, be like the assemblies of Smyrna or Philadelphia or suffer the consequences.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

A Receding Sea of Gray

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“I’ve seen your future!” I thought as I looked across a congregation and its ‘sea of gray’ I taught about a year ago. Without revitalization, it would rapidly diminish to a point of no return, and the doors close for good. This was my experience at Northview Christian Church, once a thriving Christian community. It’s also the path of most Western mainline denominational churches. If you’re not Roman  Catholic or focused on attraction, you’re probably on your way out. What gives?

A diminishing sea of gray. Western Christianity declines at about 20% per year. Yet, most mainline denominational churches are full of the elderly, who are the backbone. They’re likely faithful and hard-working. But they’re dying. Although Western Christianity declines at about 20% a year now, the rate will likely decline sharply over the next decade as the population of the wise and faithful shrinks rapidly. Even if butts in the pews remain, the effect on Christendom will be crippling without these vital gray-headed souls.

Consequences. Our wise theological models and teachers are evaporating. Opportunities for church discipline for growth and correction (not punishment!) are disappearing. Who will lead the spiritually immature when they’re gone? Who will demonstrate how to effectively apply God’s words and ways? Here are several scriptures that soberly remind us their importance (NASB):

  • Leviticus 19:32. “You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged …”
  • Job 12:12-13. “Wisdom is with aged men … To Him belong counsel and understanding.”
  • 1 Peter 5:5. “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders …”

The cure. Listen to mature followers and put them to work as the Spirit has enabled! Learn from and imitate them (at least the Godly stuff)! That will create spiritually mature followers who can replenish the sea of gray and keep the churches healthy! But there’s more!

Understand that while the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to humans doesn’t change, contexts do. Be incarnational and contextual, meeting communities and cultures where they are without comprising the message. Remember that the ‘little-t’ stuff like how we perform music, baptism, or Communion methods aren’t worth falling on a theological sword over! Remove religious barriers to reduce clergy-laity separation. Become relevant to today’s folks who can become tomorrow’s sea of gray even if dress or music needs to evolve. And remember to give your young and old alike opportunities to serve according to spiritual giftings.

Summary. Our fruitful and wise congregants are dying. So are our churches. Don’t let their legacy disappear and Western Christianity along with it: replenish the sea of gray by once again becoming relevant to local communities and training replacements. Next time, let’s explore something weird, useful, and last-days-ish: Apocalyptic Poster Children. Meanwhile, leave your bubble and step into someone else’s (with permission!) to make the Church more relevant and replenish a receding sea of godly gray.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Growth Under Pressure: Rise & Fall of the Western Church

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The Rise. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” For the early Church, the struggle was between an ungodly world and Christ’s Kingdom. The tension brought Rome’s wrath, whose leaders murdered Christians and severely limited their ability to engage in commerce. Yet, Christianity grew at about 40% per year!

How? Christians understood that adversity is a natural part of the journey and that perfection and hope emerge (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4). They took the mandate to image God through imitation and replication seriously. For the compassionate, newly transformed, there was no other way. Being a costly faith and valuable religion also contributed to growth. Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains this well in The Cost of Discipleship: “Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it, a man will go and sell all that he has. … Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow… It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son.”

The Fall. Conversely, Western Christianity declines by about 20% each year. Only 5% of churces make disciples who make disciples, and a mere 15% of most memberships live obediently. Spiritual lethargy through passivity has removed tension and stunted growth. Casting Crowns’ song Start Right Here states things well: “We want our coffee in the lobby. We watch our worship on a screen. We got a Rockstar preacher who won’t wake us from our dreams. We want our blessings in our pocket. We keep our missions overseas. But for the hurting in our cities, would we even cross the street?”

Spiritual lethargy and focusing on ‘nickels and noses’ produce a cheap grace that embraces comfort but opposes growth (in numbers or maturity!). Deitrich Bonhoeffer’s take: “Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks’ wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, … can be had for nothing. … Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline . . . Cheap grace is grace without discipleship …”

The Cure. Growth would require a shift that naturally creates tension between our ungodly world and Christ’s Kingdom introduced through Christ-followers. No more immoralities. No more business-minded attractional buildings, programs, or religions—just discipleship-born imitation, replication, and growth out of adversity.

Summary. The early Church grew astoundingly because of discipleship’s imitation, replication, and growth from persecution. Today’s Western Church will die if it doesn’t do the same. The Thanksgiving holiday is coming, so let’s explore it next time. Until then, fight the good fight, struggle victoriously, and embrace change.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Unify to Magnify – Part Two!

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In part one, I wrote that God wants His children unified as one diverse but single Body, sharing spiritual gifts, talents, and treasures. Metaphoric eyes, ears, feet, and hands, all different but working together to accomplish God’s desires. However, the Church has been drawn, quartered, and segregated. The ‘arms’ congregate and despise the ‘legs;’ the ‘eyes’ deprive the ‘hands’ of vision.  And we relegate many to hell because of differing religious practices and beliefs. This is a far cry from the original love and simplicity that characterized the Church, however. What happened?

Hands down, the root cause is people. We differ in beliefs and experiential pursuits, and like-minded folks assemble to create and share common traditions and practices. This is the heart of culture—faith, in our case. Let’s focus on cultural differences in how we praise God and engage religious theories and experiences.

Cultural Differences: Praise. Many people honor God in song or dance. Some prefer a gospel genre, while others swear that musical instrumentation is of the devil. Others enjoy hymns, while another church uses contemporary popular songs during services. Regardless, differences in how we praise God are primarily matters of personal taste and don’t generally pose a divisive threat to Western Christianity. Religious differences are another matter.

Cultural Differences: Religion. This presents the Body as ugly to the yet-to-be-churched, who marvel at our disunity. There are many Western Christian splinters, some prompted by one person’s beliefs in the fourth to fifth centuries CE. A Stoic by nature, he spawned new and contentious religious theories like original sin spread through sex and predeterminism (you have no hand in your final spiritual destination). Other church fathers rejected the latter theory, which was revitalized and formalized in the Protestant Reformation. Also, contention in baptism and communion remains.

  • Baptism. Water immersion is a public sign of intentional, saving devotion to God. One early Christian guide suggests cold, running water. Otherwise, warm or standing water is fine. None of the above? Spit! Now? We divide over infant baptism, whether water saves, and baptism’s effectiveness should any body part miss the water.
  • Communion. Early Christians remembered Christ’s sacrifice and a new covenant with God by sharing wine and bread, often as part of a ‘love feast.’ Now? We divide over how and where to take it, who can serve it, and how it works. You’ll be excommunicated in some circles if you share Communion elements with believers outside your church. My, how we’ve abandoned authentic and intimate sharing among believers for religion!

Summary. Christians congregate and isolate with like-minded people, often praising God through diverse musical traditions. However, the most divisive force is the different beliefs implemented by humans, not God. Religious contention has greatly splintered Christ’s Body, but that’s not God’s desire! In part three, we’ll explore ways individuals and churches can unify despite differences in practices and non-essential beliefs.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

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Unify to Magnify – Part One!

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God loves a unified creation. He equips us for that purpose. When we move as one Body, we uplift God and proclaim His greatness. The spiritual hands, feet, eyes, and ears are to work as one to point to the Creator. But that’s not the reality today: theological segregation, human traditions, and pride have fractured the Church.

One denomination revels in study and programs but remands the Holy Spirit to the first century and chastises charismatics. Another focuses on supernatural signs and speaks and acts unbiblically. Others staunchly plant the stake of “we’re the only way to heaven” into the soil of biblical ignorance. Human-born mysticism and legalism have corrupted the once-simple practices of communion and baptism, causing even further division. However, this is not what God desires, nor has this always been the case. Here, we’ll explore Godly unity in a three-parter that defines it, shows our departure, and attempts to make unity a priority again. First things first: an overview.

Unity is a bond, a oneness, that joins individuals into a single entity, as in the Body of Christ. In that context, we are unified by Father, Son, and Spirit, and our unity magnifies (honors) God. Here are some biblical examples:

  • We are unified by one Father, Son, and Spirit for peace and God’s ministry of reconciling creation (Ephesians chapter four): “There is one body and one Spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. . . . for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith.”
  • The world should see our unity (John 17:23): “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” But it sees brokenness instead of unity.
  • The parts of the Church only work when unified (1 Corinthians chapter twelve): “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. … If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? … Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”

Summary. The Church only functions effectively when everyone works together as one Body, sharing spiritual gifts and resources as God permits. This is not the case today. Next? Let’s look deeper into how the lack of unification crippled Christ’s Body and made God’s Kingdom an ugly thing to many people. Meanwhile, consider how you, as a spiritual eye or ear, can help the Body see and hear.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.