In Unity through Humility Ephesians 4: 1-3: ‘”I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”’ There has been much change this year, a shaping and reshaping within the church and in the world of our day. Our dear leader, Bishop Joseph Kironji was called by the Lord to return to heaven. Just recently we lost our brother Francis daughter and others have experienced similar painful losses and needing to let go. Myles Munroe, a beloved author and international church leader also recently died. These things obviously affect the church and though all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, we need to be mindful of the spiritual warfare that comes against the church of our day. A time of evil is advancing upon us. We are in a time of great technology and creative media of global and wondrous proportions. Daily we are bombarded with imagery, ideas and imaginations which promote the agenda of an ungodly world. We have the internet and advertising and TV and films; increasing knowledge, definitely, but also increasing temptations - the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. This can be a challenging space for all of us, forcing us to stand on the scriptures and message of Christ to help us make right choices about so many things, but especially so for those who may be more of the world than just in it; for the double minded persons who are not so committed in their faith, when the world is advancing with such speed and evil intent, ungodly thoughts, actions and desires can exert a great pressure such that it influences the hearts of men into being moulded and conformed to a new age of corruption, decadence and spiritual compromise. As a church we must strongly resist this and help our brothers and sisters to do the same also. We are in a time where the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. What is in your heart right now, do you know? What, or who, do you care about most? What, or who, is taking up your thoughts and shaping your wants and desires? Today is a good time to reflect on the recent past happenings of 2014 and observe the pattern of what has been shaping and influencing our hearts, will, speech and actions. Now, is a good time to observe and consider our todays and yesterdays so that we can look toward the right direction, the direction which the Lord is revealing to us, as we open our eyes to see in the coming year, 2015. Philippians 2: 1-5: If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels (affection) and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife (selfish ambition) or vainglory (conceit); but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus... Paul wrote this scripture to the Philippian church telling them how much it would please him if they were to be generous and loving people. Paul said that this was also what Christ is like, and we know this to be true. How have we lived out this scripture ourselves in 2014? Have we been generous and loving, or the opposite? The opposite of generosity is selfishness. Selfishness is easy and something we can do almost all by ourselves. Children often start out by being selfish and we have to teach them how to share. Selfishness is a form of pride, putting your needs and desires above those of others. Selfishness can seem rational. Some of us like to be alone, who doesn’t enjoy their own company sometimes? Having nothing to do other than to ‘be’. It feels liberating at times to be able to enjoy one’s own company, resources, time and space and not be bothered about anything or anyone else. For a moment we can feel like, who cares? It’s my life and right now, it’s all about me. It’s my choice as to how I live my life, isn’t it? Well yes, and no. Firstly, we are created by God and He has chosen to be a part of what He has created, so our time must be shared with Him. Secondly, we are born into a family, then a community, neighbourhood, country and world. As a church we are to share our time with our church brethren as we are a community of believers. People need the company of others for fellowship, advice and comfort in difficult times. We all have to share the same space, time and resources. Selfishness, of all and any kind, affects others in some negative way. Generosity and love is the humble antidote to a selfish heart. There are numerous examples we could give about the necessity to share. Many resources on this earth are limited or finite. We should be aware from reading ancient history and even in our modern times of how selfish rulers, countries, companies and privileged individuals can take charge of and control the resources of the land which are needed by many people but they refuse to share. People can be greedy and horde wealth and prosperity for themselves or a select few; often not because they need it, but just in case something goes terribly wrong. Scared to lose what they have, these wealthy people make stockpiles of goods and commodities, too selfish and self-centred to care and share with others, turning their back while others starve or suffer lack. Sadly, this is the shape of the world we live in now. The West versus the developing countries. The big conglomerates versus the small business owners. The mighty so easily overpowers the weak and turns everything in favour of their own selfish agenda. Selfishness is a choice – but it is the wrong choice. Margaret Thatcher, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain was quoted in a magazine in 1987 as saying, “There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. Its our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour.” Margaret Thatcher was wrong to say that there was no such thing as society, and her wrong words influenced a whole generation of people, not just within the United Kingdom, but also in other parts of Europe and the world, to become selfish and look out for their own well-being more than that of others. That being said, a part of what she said was still right: each individual makes up the components of society and if each individual does his best then society as a whole will benefit. Margaret Thatcher also said, “No one would remember the Good Samaritan if hed only had good intentions; he had money as well.” This is a very secular response to the scriptures but the bible puts it this way in Ecclesiastes 10:18-20: ‘Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything.’ To repair a building, one needs money. To prepare for a feast one needs money, or at least sufficient natural resources instead of money. If the Good Samaritan had had nothing, he could not have given his money to the innkeeper for the injured man to be looked after. Money is an important currency in our world, even more so than in ancient times. In ancient times, people still bartered, bought, sold and paid for land, goods and services with money, but in our day, where so few of us are farmers able to support ourselves with food, money is a currency that is necessary to sustain a good life. There is enough of all resources in this world to go around, but too few people ‘own’ or ‘control’ too much of it, unwilling to be like the Good Samaritan and help those who are in need, selflessly providing for them without any desire for personal gain. How many times do we read of the selfish man who dies alone and lonely, unloved and forgotten, remembered only in a negative way? We may feel satisfied along the way with our own company, doing what we want to please ourselves, but God made us to be a community. We are intended to be sociable people, to love, to give and to share. As a church we are to always be in an attitude of selflessness, as Christ is. Selfish people give nothing of themselves to others. A selfless person will put you and Gods agenda first. A selfish person only thinks of their own needs and wants. If it involves things which others have or can do, selfish people are prone to manipulate and manoeuvre others into supplying whatever they are after. God does not like selfishness. He says that we should not have selfish ambition. We should always be mindful of the community within which we live and do our best to improve that community as much as we can. Below are some practical ways in which we can be a blessing to the church, to our family and to our community. Consider these in 2015. What can you do to make society better? How can you show others what it means to be in one accord with others and ultimately, with Christ? Be in unity through humility. Confess Gods word daily. Pray for others, not just yourself. Remember, it is better to give than to receive. Volunteer to help in church and communicate to others with positive words and in a positive attitude. Make yourself available to cook, clean and tidy up – both in the church and for others. Support one another in love. Be a cheerful giver. Hebrew 6:10 says, For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Galatians 6: 1-10 reads: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.... 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Proverbs 3: 9-10: ‘Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.’ God is always thinking of the best way to bless you (11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD...Jeremiah 29:11-14). Instead of looking for blessings from our good Father in heaven, look for ways that you can be a blessing to others. Be confident that God is with you and attending to your need even before you pray. Just as our Father in heaven blessed the food and produced an abundant overflow of food when feeding the 5000, so it shall be with you when you lift up provision for God to bless; abundance will overtake you. It is an act of humility to remember God in all things, to submit our ways before Him and to give His word priority of place in our thoughts and subsequent actions. But this humility is necessary for unity, for a thriving, peaceful and happy society. Remember these scriptures in 2015 and determine in yourself to be a blessing and without thinking about it, you will soon become more and more divinely blessed yourself. And one more thing. When God is blessed and moving freely in our midst, He will give us victory in spiritual battles over our enemies. Princes of spiritual wickedness will fall, and salvation and deliverance will come to the lost. This is so important as we are the light of this world. When our faces are shining with the glory of God, as a spiritual community, we will blind the enemy and set the captives free as it says in this final scripture: Psalm 149 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 18:41:33 +0000
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