In One Accord

Scripture: Ephesians 4 v 3:

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

I have read and agreed with these words for many years - Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity is always a good thing when the right people are involved but suddenly it dawned on me that I needed to examine those words more closely to find the true meaning.

The Holy Spirit, our Teacher, Strengthener and Comforter, wants us to be in unity in our spirituality so that we conform completely to Him.  He is the third member of the Trinity and is never an 'it' or an 'influence'. He can be grieved and quenched and lied to - with serious consequences!

When we are in unity with Him we will be in one accord in the Body of Christ with no divisions or differences or discord of any kind. The exhortation to be in unity with the Holy Spirit means that we are fully submitted to the will of God and to each other.

It does not just mean great harmony in worship while singing in tongues together although that can greatly encourage that unity and be part of achieving it.

What we really need to focus on is unity of purpose to line up with God's actual will for us rather than what we think His will should be. We know His will is for all men to be saved. What we don't always know is what we as individuals should be doing to achieve that.

We all have different abilities, talents, strengths, skills and functions. The Holy Spirit wants to harmonise all those into one effective, well-oiled, whole machine. That "machine" is the consecrated Body of Christ consisting of born again believers wherever they are on this planet.

Every born again saint has received the Holy Spirit at the moment Jesus comes into your heart. After baptism you can, and should, be baptised in the Holy Spirit. The word baptised is from the Greek word BAPTIZO meaning "immersed". Just as you are immersed by water baptism you need to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. The evidence of this is usually that you begin to speak with other tongues.

When you speak or sing in tongues your spirit is refreshed, your soul released and you are edified or built up in the Holy Spirit. In this way He can begin to engage us in different ways to achieve the purpose and will of God. The closer you get to Jesus and listen to His voice the closer we will get to one another spiritually speaking.

When we are in unity with the Holy Spirit we are able to be led as a flock and guided to the right pasture to eat the correct nourishment that will contribute to us going in the right direction to achieve God's purpose for the Body of Christ.  Right now the Body is severely divided by denominations, sects, doctrines of men, false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing.

We need to be so close to Jesus that His light in us exposes the errors, the blind leaders, the broad way that leads to destruction, before they deceive us as well.  Jesus warned - Be Not deceived.  He was talking to His disciples and telling us to check everything carefully.  Does Toronto Catch the Fire Blessing line up with the Word or as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14 v 22, if people come into your church and hear tongues without interpretation won't they think you are mad?  

Referring that verse to Toronto Blessing, if people come into your church and hear manic laughter, barking, screaming, hissing, etc without explanation, won't they think you are mad?  Where does this extreme behaviour occur in the Bible? Would Jesus do it?  Paul said Do all things in moderation.  This phenomenon has spread around the world and caused much harm and division as it was intended to do.  In Thessalonians we read that before the end comes there will be  falling away first. Many thousands will backslide and be lost because they were caught up in a false doctrine.

So endeavour to be in unity of Spirit through seeking God through fasting and prayer to determine His true will for your life and you will find yourself coming into a whole new experience in which you flow with others in spiritual awareness of your true purpose and God's real plan for your life.  The most powerful spiritual experiences in my life have come while I was sitting quietly in His presence waiting for Him to initiate His plan.  All I have to do is follow His lead and He makes miracles happen.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we want to do Your will to achieve Your purpose and it needs us being in unity with the Holy Spirit. Teach me to know truth from error, to discern lies and falseness, so I am never deceived.  Change me Lord to conform and flow with all other consecrated Christians to glorify You and edify the Body of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.