What would you do for your brother??

What would you do for your brother?

In light of renewed unity with God and oneanother, in Christ, it is the responsibility of each member to know and love oneanother. This will involve giving up your freedom for the their sake and the sake of your union.

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, she is known by God.

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
(1 Corinthians 8 ESV)

That’s not humility!!! This is humility!!!!!

True humility is a practical affirmation of the sovereign headship of God and Christ in the life of the Christian on a daily basis, in light of renewed unity in God through Christ.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
(Ephesians 4:1-7)

Humility and the sovereignty of God
As previously discussed the individuality of the Christian (abilities, life span, wealth and success, circumstance of life, etc.) was determined by God under his sovereign headship. These are apportioned to each Christian by the same spirit for the sake of the whole union.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually has he wills.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

True humility recognises the gifting of God and acknowledges that all gifts are given by the one spirit for the good of all and does not assume status in the family of God. This is what it means to be in union with God. So when each member seeks to understand and respect the place given to each Christian by God in Christ they will be practically acknowledging the sovereign headship of God and Christ.

True humility does not deny the truth of the gifting of the Holy Spirit and the sovereignty of God. Rather it acknowledges that it is given for the good of the whole union. Therefore denying the gifting of the Holy Spirit in your life and the life of others is a denial of unity with Christ. Also seeking status in the family of God without respect for the good order he has established is a denial of God’s headship and unity in him.

This means that Christians can acknowledge their abilities, wealth, etc. without being arrogant by attributing them all to God and using them for the good of the Christian union (church). God empowers Christians with the freedom to plan and execute the good works that he has prepared for them in light of his sovereign headship (unity in him).

The right acknowledgement of gifting is not just a matter for the individual but for the entire union. It is not a matter of self-estimation in a vacuum. God has given Christians to one another so that they may lovingly encourage and advise one another in the identification of need and the correct manner of service. In this way the whole union is built up in love.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-20)

In having many gifts and a place for each the whole the union of Christ becomes stronger.

“Insanity doesn’t run in my family, it sprints.”

Christians and family
As previously discussed the family is the basis (core) of human unity. In the present age Christians are members of earthly families (in Adam’s flesh) and the family of God (in Christ’s spirit). Even though unity in Adam’s flesh is broken Christians are first and foremost responsible for the care of their earthly families. This is a reflection of the restored unity they have with God in Christ. This is why it can be said:

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
(1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)

In the present age Christians have a greater level of responsibility for members of their own family, especially members of their household (incl. servants, blood and non-blood relatives) than for others. This does not mean Christians are not responsible for other Christians or their unbelieving neighbours. Rather on a daily basis they are most responsible for the welfare and care of their own family/household. By looking after the members of their earthly family/household a Christian will demonstrate their faithfulness to the renewed unity they have with God in Christ. Just as Christ is faithful over God’s house.

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house was a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
(Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)

The family of God
As previously discussed right relating within family (unity) is dictated by a person’s position in the family and who they are relating to. This is true of the family of God.

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
(1 Timothy 5:1-3 ESV)

A Christian should never seek status and position in the church if they have not first seen to their own family. Both men and women should look after their own families first and only widows who are old enough and have proven themselves as good mothers should be given responsibility in the family of God.

Young women should be taught to look after their families first. Only once they have proven themselves, discharging their responsiblity to their own households and serving the church in (seemingly) small ways (eg, hospitality and washing feet), should they be enrolled for further service.

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
(1 Timothy 5:3-25 ESV)

This command applies to men too, if a man wishes to lead the family of God he must first prove that he is capable of leading his own family (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Young men should be trained to look after their own families and serve the church in small ways first before they are given a position of leadership in the Church. Furthermore it is only the elder that has proven his effectiveness and faithfulness that should be given the added honour of being paid for his work (especially if he is a teacher).

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
(1 Timothy 5:17-23 ESV)

The Bible has a very long-term view of unity, faithfulness, service and the appointment of leaders. This is why Christians need to be committed to family and Church long-term. Therefore to be faithful to God means looking after your family well and seeking to serve the church in some small way. Remembering that all deeds, both good and bad, will be exposed on the last day before the judgement of God.

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
(1 Timothy 5:24-25 ESV)

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4 urges all Christians to conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with their union in Christ, so that they might maintain their union with him. To do this Christians must practice unity amongst themselves. As such they should be eager to bear with one another in love wherever and whenever they are with whatever capabilities they have been given.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV)

As the head of the body seeks the best for each member and in so doing looks after the whole, so Christ loves all Christians. He has given each member the means by which they might grow and persevere in unity now, his spirit who gifts all for the good of all. Christ has given his Church the gifts of the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip each member for the work of ministry (Christs work) in this world. Building and sustaining unity in Christ.

The ministry of Christ and his people in this world is a ministry of unity, it is the job of all Christians to build this union to which they have been called. The apostles are the foundation of the church because they were witnesses to Christ on earth, passing on all they saw and heard. Then the prophets, the most faithful in the household of God. They declare the truth of God especially when, calling all to repent living a life of extreme faithfulness and throwing their lives away for the sake of Christ and his church (not mere teachers!!). The evangelist seeks to guide unbelievers into unity with Christ. The shepherd leads, protects and fights for those who have been put under his care. Lastly the teacher explains the revealed things of God, teaching each member to love him and one another.

The ultimate goal (the end game) of these gifts is to build up the church until the time when all are born into the complete and perfect union with Christ. So that being mature in Christ (like Christ and strong in faith), knowing and attesting to what is true (there is one God who is all in all), you will no longer be fooled by the deceitful doctrine of the world. Instead you build and practice unity in Christ by:
• Loving one-another, (unity would not be unity without love) without love unity is dead.
• Speaking the truth to one another in love (There can be no place for lies and deceit in unity)
• When you speak be encouraging, seeking to build up one another into Christ.
• Occupy yourself with honest work, instead of the self-seeking manner of your former lives. This will allow you to be generous with what God has you (Being united to Christ shows us how silly the concept of personal ownership is when we know that we belong to one another).
• Be patient with one another, ready to forgive.

As members of Christ Christians are also members of one another and should treat each other as such. Does one member of the body deceive another? How would a body perform the most basic of tasks if it rebels against itself? As it says:

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
(Matthew 12:25 ESV)

Therefore only speak truth (the truth of God, who is truth himself) with fellow Christians as is appropriate for the position that God has given you and in each situation you find yourself. In this way all should strive to ensure that every word they speak proceeds from love in unity intended to encourage and build up their fellow members (and therefore the whole union) of Christ.

Before you were united to Christ you occupied yourself with worthless pursuits seeking your own benefit at the cost of others. Now that you are part of Christ you must pursue honest work pleasing to God seeking to be generous with what the Lord gives us. Seeking the benefit of other at a cost to yourself.

If you who are united to Christ and go on sinning, conducting yourself as if you were never united to him you grieve the Holy Spirit because he is the spirit of unity. It is by your actions you can proclaim the goodness of unity in Christ or condemn it and yourself before God. Therefore in unity you must be patient showing kindness to one another acknowledging weakness and forgiving the sins of one another as Christ forgave you.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV)

Remember the fact that you need to be reminded of this means that you are not naturally capable of doing this while you are still in Adam’s flesh.

“One of us, one of us…”

1 Corinthians is an extremely important book for understanding how Christians are to live out their union in Christ in th present age. Its purpose is to instruct Christians in the way of unity.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
(1 Corinthians 1:10-17)

There is no division in Christ, only Christ. Christ is head over the union to which all Christians are members and as such they are servants of Christ and one another.

Little children love oneanother
In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul compels the Philippians to make his joy complete by being united, having one mind and the same love.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:1-11)

Paul does not advocate a forced unity, rather he prefaces his desire for unity by only wanting unity amongst those who are already in Christ. “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy…”(vs1). In short those who are in Christ must practice the unity of Christ.

What does it mean to have one mind and the same love? It does not mean that all are to all think exactly the same things all the time or be part of a shared mind where individuality is non-existent. It means thinking and loving self-sacrificially, using Christ as the ultimate example. Christians must strive to:
• do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit
• be humble counting others more significant than yourself
• not look only to their own interests but also to the interests of others