For every truth of God, the devil has a counterfeit. The devil’s strategy is to sow seeds of doubt and unbelief in an effort to thwart the purposes of God. Job 42:2 declares of the Lord: “I know that You can do all things, no purpose of Yours can be thwarted”.
The Bible, the word of God, holds all the truths, wisdom and instruction we need for daily living. Psalm 36:9 declares: “For with You is the fountain of life, in Your light shall we see light”. As we read and search the scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives revelation, i.e. light for understanding and direction from the Lord as the Bible becomes a living word to us.
The book of Acts describes the beginning of the New Testament church. Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place”. There is strength in unity. United we stand, divided we fall. Jesus declared that a kingdom, a city or a house divided against itself shall not stand, (Matthew 12: 25).
The Body of Christ has a poor track record for unity historically. Disunity was never God’s purpose for His people. Remember – God’s purposes will not be thwarted! He will have a people who will endure and come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of His Son, Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 4:13). Will you, will I choose to be part of that company? This is our birthright in Christ, open and offered to all of us. Sadly, we often forfeit it because we refuse to give up the right to ourselves. We can have biases we cling to refusing the change the Lord offers us. We like to have our own way instead of preferring others before ourselves, (Romans 12:10). We like to stand up for our rights and justify ourselves……excuses by the thousands! This was never the nature and testimony of our Pattern Man, Jesus Christ. He left the glories of heaven and made himself of no reputation in obedience to His Father’s will, (Philippians 2:7-10). How we can fight to uphold our reputation to others! When Jesus was abused, He did not retaliate but committed Himself to His Father, (1 Peter 2: 23).
So, as God’s purpose is unity for the Body of Christ, what is the devil’s counterfeit in the world? An example could be the Trade Unions in contention with the government. At present we have a lot of dissatisfaction and unrest in our country. The Trade Unions have a lot of strength among their members who together, present their case for change, improvement, better conditions and pay. Most certainly there is a need for change in many areas and opportunity to hear the people’s voice, and the government’s voice, to bring both sides together in unity.
In comparison, what unity does the Body of Christ demonstrate? As previously stated, the Church has a poor track record for unity, but we all have opportunity for change whilst we have breath in our bodies. God’s purpose for His Church was voiced in Jesus’ prayer in John 17: 21 “That they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that You have sent Me”. Jesus’ prayer was for His Body to come together in unity. One with the Father. Psalm 86:11 is the prayer God is waiting for from His children. David prayed to the Lord:”Unite my heart to fear Thy name”, Psalm 86:11.
Oneness! When my heart is united with God’s, I will love others unconditionally. As I major on my relationship with the Father as Jesus did, then my will and biases will be surrendered as I seek to walk closer with Him. A closer walk will never be reached without daily surrender. What will the consequences of surrender be?…..a divine peace and joy that no man can steal from me, an unconditional love for others, especially those I have previously felt indifference for.
The heartbeat of God in this age is unity in relationships. We may have some differences in believing and doctrine, but we do not have to be confrontational, argumentative, intolerant to others and bigoted. We can discuss our differences if the need arises, but can agree to differ without being disagreeable. Truth has a loud voice, but so does ineffectiveness! Wherever there is ineffectiveness in my life then somewhere I am not walking in truth. The Holy Spirit will show me where change is needed if I humble myself and ask Him.
God places us in the Body of Christ as it pleases Him. 1 Corinthians 12:18 “But now God has set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him”. If God has made me a forefinger and placed me next to the thumb, my effectiveness will operate where He has placed me. If I kick against the placement and rebel, declaring I don’t like a certain person, or a certain circumstance, then I have need to see that these are steps of stubborn independence. Every step of independence is a step away from the purpose of God for my life. Selah! Let us not prolong the 3 day journey in the wilderness and make it into 40 years of going round in circles getting nowhere! This was the testimony of the children of Israel when they left Egypt. They stayed in permission and missed God’s divine purpose for them by their wrong choices.
Let us remember the scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “……your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost….and you are not your own, for you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”.
The world is unaware that it is waiting for a demonstration of unity in the Body of Christ. When we are one with the Father, we will gladly live by His mandates in His word, then we will be a light, Christ’s glorious light to a nation in darkness.
Isaiah 60: 1-2 “Arise, shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee”.
(Listen to the lyrics on YouTube song by Dave Bilborough: An Army of Ordinary People)
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
