Read Colossians 2:2-8

We’re so busy following after old traditions, and philosophies; this is how I do things, thesis how George did it; this is how great, great grandparents did it; this is how the world does things, the club you were in and the last church you went to. And no one really wants to follow after Christ.

No one wants to follow his ways, his views; you cannot get anywhere doing that! Your gifts will not work doing that! You have favor right now but some will not give up their old ways!

Ephesians 4:7 (Amplified Version)

Yet grace (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to measure of Christ’s [rich bounteous] gift.

Grace: Divine influence, spiritual insight, through the spirit; not through the mind! But reflecting life and how things were, and how they should be! Including gratitude from acceptable benefits, favor, joy, liberty, and pleasures that comes from it.

The “gifts” (i.e., eternal life and forgiveness of sin) that are given to believers were consequent to Christ’s defeat of sin and death. The analogy is that Christ is sharing the spoils of His ultimate victory over Satan with those who have received Him. In Psalm 68:18, David is expressing the same idea of God Almighty obtaining victory over His enemies and leading them away as captives. The gifts given by Christ (Eph. 4:8) are those things that are given to enable a Christian to live a more victorious life for Christ while on earth.

Romans 12:3 (King James Version)

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, no to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified)

Now I have applied all this (about parties and fractions) to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us (as illustrations), you may learn (to think of men in accordance with Scripture and) not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one

(Minister and teacher) against another. For who separates you from the others (as a faction leader)? (Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?) What have you that were not giving to you? If then you receive it (from someone), why do you boast as if you had not received (but had gain it by your own efforts)?

Paul was implying that he was working out the divisions within the Corinthian congregation with Apollos (1 Cor. 1:10-13, “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. (Verse 10)”, perfect harmony, full agreement, and there will be no dissentions or factions or divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments) This relationship was intended to be an example for them to follow in settling their divisions. Paul uses his own humility as an example by not allowing others to place him on a pedestal. In verses even, Paul gives the primary reason for not acknowledging the Corinthians’ accolades. He intimates that all believers are servants of Christ, not of themselves.

So in conclusion, we as believers must understand the importance of unity. That the grace of God is given unto all of us through Christ Jesus, so that we may not be lacking in any spiritual gifts since every Christian has been given the Holy Spirit, he or she has the potential to demonstrate the particular gift which has been given to them. It does not matter where you come from or what denomination, we should all be seeking to do the very one thing that through all of our gifts we may win those that God has called out.

Remember Others Who Work In The Name of Christ:

“John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he is not one of our band [of your disciples]. But Jesus said, do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work inky name will soon afterward be able to speak evil of me. For he who is not against us is for us. For I tell you truly, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to and bear the name of Christ will by no means fail to get his reward.” (Mark 9:38-41 Amplified; Luke 9:49-50)

God wants to move through love. For God is love. Love and unity is what brings in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. As you remember in the book of Acts, how some one hundred and twenty wherein the upper room waiting on a promise from Jesus Christ (which was the Holy Spirit). They were all on one accord (in one place in unity). The bible says, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” That particular day some three thousand were saved. This should be our main goal. Jesus said all power was given to Him in heaven and the earth, that we should go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe the things He has commanded us to do, and that He would be with us always.

The bible is the authoritative and inerrant, infallible word of God. It sin harmony with itself from the beginning to the end. Our salvation walk should be based off what God’s word says that this walk should be. There are so many different facets in salvation. I like to call them pieces of a pie, whether it be liberty, salvation saving, prosperity, freedom, deliverance, perseverance. We must understand that we are blessed, which means to be fully satisfied in the state of in the hereafter and however the term is used of the joy that comes from salvation (Psalm 51:12).

God has called ministers to different areas, different cultures, and different parts of the world. All using the gifts that Jesus left for them to get or have victory in their lives and the lives of others. We should encourage all those no matter where they are called or what facet they have been called to minister. It is the unity that should be presented to the world for the world (Satan) is in unity with itself and has only one common goal. We should walk in our common goal as well. Psalm 133:1-3, “Behold how good and pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity. 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 garment. 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 forever more.” Ointment is the anointing. The greater the love, the more the unity, which brings a powerful anointing. Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.” Abraham said to lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee, and me and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen for we be BRETHREN. (Genesis 13:8)