Why do we not have unity of mind and spirit?

[teddyv]

2 hours ago, FJK said:

I think it's important to realize that all who call themselves Christian are not always actually Christian.

This ends up a No True Scotsmen fallacy.

It's probably a better view that many Christians still struggle with their old nature, some more than others. Growth and discipline within the church body is needed, but you can imagine how people feel about that in our individualistic societies. It's been suggested that Western Cristianity is very dualistic with religion being pushed to the personal and private realm on Sunday, then just doing whatever you do the rest of the time.

 

[JimmyB]

4 hours ago, chirpy said:

not sure I understand your point.... it would be nice not to fight or chastise over anything...

the snide comments made about the type of spice used on a dish, or can't believe they brought that for a dish, or did not bring a dish and only a ??... the arguments over what color for the new carpet in the chapel or what songs to sing for the next service..... or did you see so and so park in the handy capped space... how dare they.... and on and on......  does any of it edify?

yes all is human and so frequent... but trite and belittling to others....  it just gets old...

if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything seems to be a lost idiom ....

unity of mind and spirit - the big things we fight over as well ------ women in the church, homosexuality, tolerance of fornication, adultery, and on and on.... we as christians are not united .... we argue about what is sin, what is right and wrong...

my point is ---- why has the Spirit not united us?  Yes, I want us all to agree and be a happy in sync group of followers of Jesus,  the reality is..... not going to happen on this current earth.... but I wish it would, and struggle with why the Spirit will not bring it about.

 

 

I think that it might be the time for you to go to a different church if that is what people complain about.

This forum and all others are, in part,  places to debate certain topics, so there will be disagreements. Unfortunately, these often turn into ad hominem attacks, which of course is not Christian behavior.  Instead of people debating the subject, they attack others, either personally or generally, for example "all Democrats are evil".  The Spirit guides us, but does not dictate our behavior.

[chirpy]

1 hour ago, SpiritSong said:

I think that before the church is raptured there will be great revivals all around the world. God will gather His harvest, but remember that the wheat and the tares grow together until then. What is clear is that all humanity will be given the choice who to follow. 

Fortunately we don't have to be Borg to be of one mind in Christ! Deception is futile, and the truth will set us free. Not only will we live long and prosper, we are already in eternity. The Lord is coming soon, so not long now until we know the fullness of that reality. 

In the mean time, I'm setting my sights on agreement with the truth, as all these arguments - big and small - are just a distraction from the truth, and they are certainly not where we find freedom, which is especially important as we have a responsibility to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

Hopefully this is a good place to find agreement in the truth of God's Word, and maybe even some encouragement.

We are living in interesting times, for sure.

love it! thanks........ if the Lord wanted us to be Borg... He could have done it..... just my way of thinking how dealing with people could be easier....   Deception is futile.... yup that is a good one...... delusion is part of the evil one's plan and we know it will not work.    But my human pliable brain does wish the Bible programing with the Spirit syntax would not get hacked and corrupted ....

that free will concept...... God gave us the ability to process, chose, react...... wow- God's patience is pretty amazing

We become what we worship." N.T. Wright.

“It is only the cynic who claims “to speak the truth” at all times and in all places to all men in the same way, but who, in fact, displays nothing but a lifeless image of the truth. . . . He dons the halo of the fanatical devotee of truth who can make no allowance for human weaknesses; but, in fact, he is destroying the living truth between men. He wounds shame, desecrates mystery, breaks confidence, betrays the community in which he lives, and laughs arrogantly at the devastation he has wrought and at the human weakness which “cannot bear the truth.” Dietrich Bonheoffer

how very true.... and back to my current internal conflict.... to make life easy I wish the Spirit would give us one mind..... but the one mind in the spirit is not the same as the Borg, where we are controlled by a central brain for the benefit of the collective.  Now after saying that..... I do think the globalist have something like a hive in mind for the masses.  Control the masses thru the use of transhumanism, drugs, etc.  So I should be careful in my comparison.

on ward with our walk in the spirit!  God bless you all....

[Neighbor]

(I) Just don't see things that way. Having way too much fun in the Lord I guess, along with about 250 others here even this morning that about raised the metal roof off the building in praise worship music, prayer, and then Bible exposition followed by much gracious fellowship. 

Color an issue for new carpeting? Easy answer, don't carpet at all! Do do as did Chuck Smith; and then say, "Next problem?" 

 Fair question to ask  of one's self; “If you have run with infantrymen and they have tired you out, How can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket by the Jordan?" NASB

Answer; Treat with brine for the Spirit, do not let anyone steal away your joy in the Lord Jesus. Seek awareness of  good in everyone individually, look close and long then give thanks to God in the name of Jesus.

[other one]

On 7/22/2023 at 8:39 AM, chirpy said:

I love the Lord, but this is an area that I just have not been able to fully understand.  As Christians, we do not have unity of mind or spirit. 

I think it basically is pride.   I see it this way and I can't be wrong.   Happens everywhere every day

[Daniel Marsh]

ask your Pastor to preach on agape, I cor 13, loving one another for three months.   If he does this it will reform your church. 

 

book: 

In His Steps Paperback 

by Charles M. Sheldon

[Wayne222]

It’s also being carnal minded instead of being spiritually minded. Paul told us put on the new man. But people don’t but live like the old man.

[Solus Christus]

Unity I think can be achieved in prayer and worship, and holiday observances like Easter. But I think to achieve a unity where all believers are of one heart and mind will take Jesus returning. “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Jesus in Gethsename) 

[SpiritSong]

2 hours ago, Solus Christus said:

Unity I think can be achieved in prayer and worship, and holiday observances like Easter. But I think to achieve a unity where all believers are of one heart and mind will take Jesus returning. “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Jesus in Gethsename) 

I agree, prayer and worship and sharing God's Word together will definitely make our unity stronger.

It's also good to know that the Lord already knows those who are his, and He is coming back for them. Unfortunately there are among the fold wolves in sheep's clothing, as the Lord Himself, along with Paul's epistles, did warn us. There are some out there who simply like to stir up division. We've all come across people like this who claim to be Christians.

That's why if we don't walk in the Spirit of God but instead in flesh and pride, as others here have rightly pointed out, we will succumb to that conflicting division, and ultimately, to the great falling away.

It reminds me of Jesus' Words of not bringing peace but a sword. He is giving us the choice.

 

[Solus Christus]

In the Holy Land it is neat how unity is strong, everyone is a pilgrim and brother. Denominations fade away, with everyone being disciples. I wish it could be thus everywhere.