
God’s Desire to have Unity Among the Brethren [podcast]
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
No, not unity at the expense of truth ….. Yet, unity among His true remnant saints based on the foundation of salvation in Christ alone according to the whole of His written Word (John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.).
The ecumenical cry, goal, via all these heretical movies and revivals, is a plan to deceive – to keep captive souls in religious Babylon where the LORD has commanded us to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4-5). This is the cry for “unity” and yet truth is never mentioned. How does Holy Scripture address this?
False prophets speak about love and unity – yet it’s never verbalized by them that the only unity the body of Christ has is with those who rest and live out and hold to the final divine authority of God’s written Word. All other unity is false, fleshly unity. True servants of the LORD speak about Jesus Christ and His redemption, the blood of Jesus, holiness, the cross, judgment, sin, repentance, being ready for the return of Christ, and truth. Beware.
“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the TRUTH. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the TRUTH that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the TRUTH. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in TRUTH.” 3 John 1-4
In His prayer to the Father, Jesus makes it clear that His Word, the exclusive island of His truth, is where His saints are sanctified – where they are set apart as His special, only bride. All others are outside of His kingdom.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
The primary way God leads His New Testament body is by His written Word. His true disciples have no unity with those who are not born again AND presently abiding, walking by and in the record of Holy Scripture (Psalms 119:105; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 12-21, etc.).
Memory truth:
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
The sword of divine truth, Word of God, divides people into two groups – 1. Those who repent, believe, and obey it and, 2. Those who refuse to repent and believe and therefore reject God’s offer of salvation in Christ alone (Matthew 10:34). safeguardyoursoul.com
The LORD grants us discernment to “know” (discern) who His body is and who isn’t a true disciple – “by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16, 20)
I’ve witnessed firsthand God’s restoration grace in my own life many times – being restore by God to Himself, as well as how He’s restored relationships among His people – which is His stated will to do.
Saints, what does Psalms 133 say? Where is our faith? Are we getting bitter or better?
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3
Did the LORD not restore the fornicator – to Himself and His body? Yes. 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2.
Did Jesus not teach the restoration of the prodigals? Luke 15
1 Corinthians 12-13 and Ephesians 4 are key chapters pertaining to the body of Christ.
If so why did the Holy Spirit tell us through Paul to “Endeavor(ing) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? (Ephesians 4:3) <<memory verse.
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
From Schism to Unity
Jesus told us there would be division.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
Division is a blessing when it divides true believers from “false brethren.” (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4)
Unbiblical division is sin (Romans 16:17-18). Yet parting from those who refuse to repent and walk in divine love and truth are to be marked (John 8:47).
“No Schism” is the desire of our LORD:
“That there should be no schism (gap, division, rent) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25
How about how Paul and Barnabas were in strong disagreement concerning John Mark who was later restored to the ministry?
The Temporary Strife Between Paul and Barnabas
“And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” Acts 15:37-40
The Restoration
Paul speaks of Barnabas in a positive ministerial light in every additional reference to Barabbas in the New Testament Scriptures. Of John Mark, Paul later wrote:
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11
Reconciliation requires humility. Reading Romans 12:14-21 every morning this week will greatly bless your life in Christ.
Are we not one body in Christ?
The oneness of God’s love among His people is a witness to the world around us….
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:23
Reading Jesus’ prayer to the Father recorded in John 17 is paramount to understanding the larger plan of God and the scope of vertical and then horizontal relationship.
“The word of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:19




Articles
JT with Todd Tomasella of SAFEGUARD YOURSOUL – Evangelism Encouragement [video]

Joe Telford and Todd Tomasella – Evangelism Encouragement
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Light of the World | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the Word | Compassion in Light of Christ’s Soon Return | Striving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of Christ



Abiding
7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]

PRAY
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9
REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14
RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT
“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19
DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18
TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18
The blessedness of being merciful to others:
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32
Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10
Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness Quotes
Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.
“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros
“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr
“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown
Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God


Abiding
Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).
If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin
Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!
Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25
Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!
Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!
Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
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