Title: The Unity of Christians
Contents
Chapters 4-6 are teachings about the specific code of practice for those who have been saved by God on how to live on this earth. 'Therefore' is a word that indicates the transition from the doctrinal part mentioned up to Chapter 3 to the life part. What we can see here is that those who are saved have been called by God. What is our calling? It means that God has called us as a people and has called us a holy people distinct from the world. We are told to live worthy of this calling. All of you who came this morning were not gathered here by human beings. It's not like you got a text message from me. God has called us to gather here. So, the owner of the church is God.
At the same time, Paul tells the four virtues that the called saints should possess.
1) Humility: What is the meaning of humility in the Bible? It is self-defense. It's about making others better. It is humility to forget about Korea and Japan. So, if you are humble, you become one. Humility brings peace. If you are humble, you won't hurt each other.
What is the opposite of humility? Pride. Because pride is self-disclosure, it destroys the unity of the Church, the unity of the Church, by hurting and offending each other.
So, the first virtue we must have until the day we come before God is humility.
2) The gentleness Paul speaks of is the softness that a strong person has by controlling his or her strength. A meek person is someone who knows how to be extremely temperate and can control it. Originally, the word gentle was used to describe a domesticated wild horse. Even after being tamed, wild horses retain their strength, passion, and will, but only obey the court of their master holding the reins. So what kind of person is a meek person? Even if you have anger in your heart, you are a person whose emotions are controlled by the Holy Spirit. I want you to be like this.
Conversely, who is not meek? A sinful person can never be meek. A person who is often angry, a person who is not in control of his emotions, a person who is not in control of his personality, and a person who is influenced by his environment are not meek. Also, the meek do not use human methods. It's just a waiting person. Because we believe that God is at work.
As such, meekness has the characteristic that makes people one, Paul speaks of meekness as the second virtue of unity
3) What are the characteristics of patience? It is long-suffering. It is not rushing. You can work immediately, but waiting quietly is patience. So patience never gives up. No compromise. I don't take revenge. For example, I have a child, but I only get into trouble and don't study. What should I do at this time? Of course you can hit it. But that doesn't solve the problem. The only way is to be patient and wait. You can hit one, but if you fight with a child, the parents will only lose. The same is true for the wife and the same for the husband. Also, it is the same with the members of the church. have to wait
4) Tolerance is giving tolerance. It is about embracing the weaknesses of others with an open mind. Also, don't think of others as competitors. So we always need a broad mind. If my heart is narrow, I can't accept other people, so that's where the dissatisfaction comes from. Of course, there are other people's faults, but in the end, it's my problem that I can't accept
The thing to remember here is that the church is not a gathering of like-minded people. The church is a place where all kinds of people gather around God. So it requires more mind to tolerate other parts.
Some people say that when you pray, you need to break your throat in order to feel refreshed. Last year, at the last meeting of the elementary school summer camp, the person leading the front prayed to the Lord while singing three sangs, so the children would also sing three songs. Among those who sometimes prayed in the morning, we say that it is frustrating to see that because we do not pray loudly.
Why do you say this? Usually people are different depending on what kind of atmosphere and background they received grace from. Those who have been blessed by so-called clapping and shouting prefer it more. Orthodox Presbyterians also prefer a quiet atmosphere.
But if you insist on it, the church will be broken.
What is important? The atmosphere they prefer is different, but in the sight of God, they are all beneficial. That's why people who say 'why is the church like this' are saying because they don't know what a church is
The Church must remember that there is unity and diversity.
What is different? It means more diversity.
Paul says that the church can be united with the bond of peace if we strive to practice the four virtues that we must keep: humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance.
Why do we have to be one in 4-6? 7 principles are presented
1) Because the body is one. The church is a body, a universal church, that transcends cultural differences, language differences, and status differences. 2) One Holy Spirit: There is one Holy Spirit dwelling in the church, not two 3) One hope 4) One Lord: The object of our faith is God 5) One faith: There is only one means of salvation, and only faith. 6) One baptism: It is to be united into one body through public service. 7) One God: Since the church serves only God, the church cannot but be united.
Therefore, the Church is saying that we are one, and that we must maintain unity because it is based on seven things.
Summarizing the Word, I hope that the four virtues, humility, gentleness, patience, and generosity, will overflow in our saved lives. So, I hope that you will become one who can unite our family, the church, and society and the country as one.