For many people in marriage, business and in relationships generally, there are times when a unity of minds seems almost and is sometimes really unachievable.
Although it is a situation accepted as quite normal in this world, it was not in the plan of the Creator. It is has always been God's desire and aim to have perfect harmony among all His created beings while retaining a diversity of Christlike characters.
True and lasting unity is the result of having noble goals and purposes in common with one or more other persons. We'll explore it further in this post.
UNITED BY HOLY PURPOSES
AND
SHARED GOALS OF EXCELLENCE
Right thoughts, pure and holy purposes, do not come to us naturally. We shall have to strive for them. A sanctified ambition to excel in imitating the character of Christ is a safe ambition to cherish. (Isaiah 55:7/Philippians 3:8)
It is only by individual, personal effort, aided by the grace of God, that a high standard of moral excellence can be reached. God has elected a certain excellence of character; and every one who, through the grace of Christ, shall reach the standard of his requirement, will have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of glory. (2 Peter 1:3-11)
Those who are united in a common hope and faith in Christ Jesus can be a blessing to one another. (Ephesians 4:11-16/1 Corinthians 1:10)
Christ abiding in the heart of the wife, will be at agreement with Christ abiding in the heart of the husband. They will be striving together for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love him. (Matthew 18:20,19:6/1 Peter 3:7/1 Corinthians 7:5)
God is the embodiment of benevolence, mercy, and love. Those who are truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one another. His Spirit ruling in the heart will create harmony, love, and unity."The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." When these are abiding in the soul, there will be unity of thought and action. Spiritual life will lead to unity. The meekness and lowliness of Christ always leads to unity and hence to strength in united action. (Psalms 55:14/2 Corinthians 13:11/1 Peter 3:8)
All difference and disunion are destroyed by a union with the great Center. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. The safe bond of all acquaintance for those who desire to grow up in Christ's perfection of character is in confiding love and faith in Christ above all others. This is the strong and safe bond of friendship and union and will never become a snare. In union is strength. Like will attract like. Those who are drinking from the same fountain of blessing will draw nearer together. (Amos 3:3/2 Corinthians 6:14/Colossians 2:2/Hebrews 10:25/2 Corinthians 3:18)
We shall have our tests, our grievances, our differences of opinion; but if Christ is abiding in the heart of each, there can be no dissension. The love of Christ will lead to love of one another, and the lessons of the Master will harmonize all differences, bringing us into unity, till we shall be of one mind and one judgment. (Romans 12:16/Philippians 2:2, 3:16)
HOLY PURPOSES
(Purposes can either be holy or unholy. Holy purposes basically have the same objectives; the transformation & elevation of human character; the glory of God.)
(An example of this is music.) Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.
Yet, another example of something having a holy purpose is the power of reasoning. God has given us our reasoning powers for a high and holy purpose,--that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and become like Him in character. (Proverbs 15:22, 20:18/Romans 8:28/2 Timothy 1:9)
All who enter into matrimonial relations with a holy purpose--the husband to obtain the pure affections of a woman's heart, the wife to soften and improve her husband's character and give it completeness--fulfill God's purpose for them. (1 Corinthians 7:2-4,10,11,14,16/Ephesians 5:25/1 Peter 3:1)
By the grace of God, we will continue this study in another post. Have a wonderful weekend.
T.K.
www.issues-of-life.com
© 2009 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
You have just been reading from page 5 of a booklet entitled, "Marriage Counseling With The Wonderful COUNSELOR" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.
