EPHESIANS 4:3 ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:12-13 NOW THIS I SAY,THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU SAITH, I AM OF PAUL; AND I OF APPOLLOS; AND I OF CEPHAS; AND I OF CHRIST. ( 13 ) IS CHRIST DIVIDED? WAS PAUL CRUCIFIED FOR YOU? OR WERE YE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF PAUL?

As a born again believer for now almost 45 years; I’d say that there is at least one thing that I have learned. Christ is not divided. We, as members of the body of Christ are. If I were to give you one other verse of scripture to somewhat validate what I’d like to say here it would be this. ( 1 Corinthians 14:33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the saints. I totally realize what this verse is speaking of but, I also can see is as it relates to every situation.

We, allowing ourselves to be tempted or, used by Satan are the authors of confusion. I confess, as a young believer I allowed my self to be used in a confusing manner and, in many case, hurt the very cause I thought I was working to create. Most of it was in my ignorance, believing it was left to me to teach, to change the hearts of men when, in reality; I or no one else can do that but, it takes the very Spirit of God.

Another verse that the Holy Spirit brings to mind is this: ( 2 Corinthians 4:3 ) BUT IF THE GOSPEL BE HID, IT IS HID TO THEM THAT ARE LOST:

As members of the body of Christ, what is our purpose? Is it not to draw others to Christ? Isn’t it true that; as our spiritual lives progress, we slowly learn spiritual things and, die to ourselves becoming more like him? Why? That those that are lost can see and hear Christ in us.

The Apostle Paul said this: ( 1 Corinthians 2:2 ) FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU, SAVE CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.

The Apostle Paul making this statement is speaking of when he sought to lead them to Christ. We need to be determined, with that same mind as it related to ourselves and, the lost of our country.

I say all these things to make a bigger point. We, as members of the body of Christ truly need to come together for the greater cause which is the ( healing of a nation ) ( the salvation of those that are lost ). We argue among ourselves and, we gain nothing. In the quest of being seen as taking a stand, we hurt the very cause of Christ to which we say we are so determined to be strong in. And, not only that, the people that are lost are confused by our arguments.

I’ve never met James Spence. I have only read one chapter of his book ( Operation heal America ) and, only seen a little of his website. I can promise you that if he and I ever sit down and consider what we both believe; we will differ in at least some points. Another promise I’ll make to you as my brothers and sisters. By the grace of God, if I differ with you on any spiritual point, the world, the lost will never know it. It will be discussed between you and I only.

My sole desire in my support for Operation Heal America is to be seen by the lost of our country as being in unity in the bond of peace. James Spence is my brother in Christ. We both seek the same goal, to bring healing to the spiritual aspect of our nation, to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. I am an enemy of no person. If you are my enemy it’s on your part and, I desire to befriend you for the cause of Christ.

My only enemy is Satan himself. I never want to be seen as working on his behalf. If I fight among my own brothers and sisters then the lost of this world are the only people that are hurt by our fight.

In closing, I’d like to share a story. I live in the house I was raised in. It’s about two miles from a Methodist Church. We attended that Church my whole childhood life. I actually got saved in an Independant Baptist Church. Over the years as a believer, working on construction jobs, I sought to be a witness to those that I worked with. One of thos men was a ( hell raising, motor cycle riding sinner ) with no desire to know Christ. Nonetheless, I shared Christ with him, even went to his home and witnessed to him and his girlfriend.

Today, that man, his wife, former girlfriend are my next door neighbors and they attend the same Methodist Church that I attended as a boy. In his testimony he shares how I witnessed to him on the job and even come to his home to share Christ with he and his girlfriend. Although the Church he attends has a woman pastor, uses a Bible that I don’t use, to me that is not the battle I need to fight to bring about unity and a bond of peace. Although they believe differently than I do, I’m not their enemy.

If I ever get a chance to stand behind the pulpit in that Church and, speak in my support of Operation heal America, it will not be to bring a message against anything they believe but rather; to create a situation where they see me as in unity with them in Christ. If the Holy Spirit can use me, speaking truth in that Church to change the mindset of someone that’s lost, to feed those that are born again and, desire to be fed by God’s Sprit then I paraise the Lord for that priviledge.

Jesus Christ sit down with his Twelve apostles and break bread with them all. Jesus knew well their ignorance of the Spirit of God. He also knew that one of them was lost. He willingly sit down with them all. My desire is to sit down, metaphorically speaking and; break bread with my brother, James Spence. Also, with all born again believers in any Church or Denomination. Possibly, some might even be lost, it’s not my place to judge, Jesus didn’t. When we willingly sit down with one another, we all can learn and become a powerful voice for Jesus Christ.

In ( John 11 ) Lazarus, a man to whom Jesus love had died. Jesus said he was going to Bethany where he lived. In that conversation; the apostles warned Jesus that people there desired to stone him. However Jesus was going anyway. Thomas made this statement ( verse 16 ) Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus; unto his fellowdisciplies, Let us also go, that we might die with him.

Can you see the faith and unity in that statement? I want to stand and, also die if needed with my brothers and sisters in Christ. We will never agree on every issue but, the Holy Spirit is our teacher, Jesus Christ is our Savior.

Let’s seek to come together in unity for the cause of Christ that the world might see Jesus in all his glory. That souls might me saved and our nation might be healed; starting with the body of Christ.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7