Introduction
As people of God in the age of the kingdom, it has priority to see first Jesus Christ, the King of Kings as He shall be in the center before we begin to care about the interpersonal relationship and respond to the needs of people in detail (see Matthew 6:33 i.c.w. Matthew 22:35-39).
Matthew 6:33:
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 22:35-39:
35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (see Deuteronomy 6:5).’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (see Leviticus 19:18).’
Whenever we come together as saints, the interpersonal exchange of everyday life situations shall not be the center, but the focus on our King Jesus Christ, who comes first.
It is necessary that we remain in or focused on the Word of God, in order to move in the quality of true fellowship as saints, which shows that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. This focus enables us as God's chosen people to see the truth that always leads to freedom (see John 8:31-32).
John 8:31-32:
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching (word), you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'
The Removal Of Hindrances By The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit wants to remove obstacles (note: resistance or offense) where they are present between saints. And He does it by revealing deficits within the fellowship by responsible leaders speaking the truth in love. There is no respect of persons with God.
This leads to the result that the Holy Spirit can move in the way He likes it (see 1 Corinthians 5:12 i.c.w. 2 Chronicles 19:7; Romans 2:11).
1 Corinthians 5:12:
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
2 Chronicles 19:7:
7 Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
Romans 2:11:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
The Importance Of Inner Unity
We live in a time in which we should not allow ourselves being at odds within our God assigned fellowship of saints, because the coming challenges and the responsibility that goes with it, seriously requires true unity.
In order to walk in true unity before the Lord as a community of saints, it is important that we are personally in an inner unity according to spirit, soul and body, in which the spirit rules over the soul in the first place (see Galatians 5:16-21 i.c.w. Romans 8:5-9a).
Galatians 5:16-21:
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 8:5-9a:
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9a You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. …
What is the flesh?
The term “flesh” describes in this connection human thinking, the will and the acts of man which is not influenced by God and His will but only from the natural being – the sin (see Romans 8;1-7; Galatians 5:13-6:12; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 3:3-4).
Flesh describes at this point in opposition to the spirit the fact, that sin seizes man and its joints so that its “flesh” like a foreign power takes over its whole being which results in death (see Romans 7:5-25). (Excerpt from the CD-ROM Bible Edition Luther Bible from 1984; Word-Number 10)
The Life Within The Inner Unity
Life within the inner unity is only possible if we apply the Word of God rightly as Hebrews 4:12-13 says.
Hebrews 4:12-13:
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The following diagram may help us as an example bringing us closer to the truth of Hebrews 4:12-13.
Diagram Of The Inner Unity
This is why it is so important that these three areas of our human being are in the correct alignment and in the right position, so that the word of God can effectively work within our inner man in order to renew us (see 2 Corinthians 4:16).
If our inner being is not in the stated unity by God as it is meant to be and when those different parts as shown in the diagram as circles, are not in the right alignment, than we are in an imbalance as a result. This is reflected by our actions, words and attitudes in our personal life and environment.
If the spirit does not rule over the soul, than the soul reigns over us instead, thus we decide by our own will, mind and emotions. As a result, we are not in harmony with the will of God and be in danger manipulating people.
Negative Experiences From The Past And The Renewing Process Not Performed
Negative experiences from the past and the lacking of a renewed spirit and mind can cause people, who don't allow the spirit to rule over the soul, to manipulate people in their environment for their own profit. This also implies manipulating others, even if they love and honor them personally.
Chuck D. Pierce wrote in one of his prayer letters in link analogously:
=>If not dealt with negative experiences, this experience is in the cells of the relevant people, which is similar to a snapshot of a camera.
The image of the negative experience is stored deep in the human brain.
If it's not handled and not resolved, the result is that the environment of the concerned person is distorted, so that everything is perceived by this negative snapshot.
The enemy tries to take advantage during the times of negative experiences in the life of a man for his purposes.
Satan uses such situations to develop the following in the life of the relevant person:
1. a loser mentality
2. a confused perception of life
3. dullness, lifelessness, coldness, lost hope or apathy/lethargy in the spirit man
4. blocked emotions
5. a root of bitterness.
If these things are not removed, then it results in a person's life to the fact that these negative traits create a root that prevents the progress so that the resolved success does not occur. <= (Excerpt from the notes of Chuck D. Pierce of the 100 days of prayer focus from January 2012/99. day)
The Prophet Elijah And The Initiated Unity By God
When the Lord lead the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel (note: fruit garden => region of true relationship with God the Father) to this confrontation with the Baal- and Ashera prophets, there was disunity among God's people revealed, because the altar of the Lord was destroyed at that time (see 1 Kings 18:30).
1 Kings 18:30:
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.
The first command of Elijah to the people of God implied that they should come as united into the prophetic presence of God, which was represented by the person of Elijah at that time.
When the people of Israel were approaching, Elijah began to collect the twelve stones of the tribes of the sons of Jacob in order to use them to build up the altar of the LORD that shortly thereafter should carry the slaughtered bull (note: represents the love and power of the Father by Jesus Christ through whom the Holy Spirit moves; see John 16:13-15; 1 Kings 18:31-33).
John 16:13-15:
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
1 Kings 18:31-33:
31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.”
32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed.
33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”
Although the people of Israel were with Elijah on mount Carmel and came together in unity by the prophetic command of the LORD as they allowed themselves to be built up as an altar, symbolizing the united heart of the fellowship of the saints (note: one spirit and one mind), it was not sufficient.
It was still necessary that each one of the "sons of Israel" was in the correct position in the altar and this means for us today, that we shall expect the increase of the power that is released through the victory of Jesus on the cross at the right time, in the right place with the right saints, just as the approximately 120 saints expected it at Shavuot/Pentecost in the upper room to glorify Jesus Christ.
The Saints at the time after the resurrection of Jesus followed as well as the people of Israel in the time of Elijah followed the prophetic command of their LORD (see Luke 24:49 i.c.w. Acts 1:14-15;. Acts 2:1-4).
Luke 24:49:
“ … 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Acts 1:14-15:
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty).
Acts 2:1-4:
1 When the day of Pentecost (Shavuot) came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
The 3 x 4 Jars Of Water
After Elijah had established the "altar of unity" on Mount Carmel and placed the sacrifice on the altar, he directed the people of Israel on behalf of God to pour out three times 4 jars of water onto the sacrifice. The water flowed down the altar and filled the previously dug trench around the altar (see 1 Kings 18:33-35).
1 Kings 18:33-35:
33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”
34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time.
35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.
This outpouring represents for us today the outpouring of the powerful, living Word of God (see Ephesians 5:26) as it reveals itself through the variety of the different characteristics of the 12 tribes of Israel.
In this connection it is about the biblical alliance as following:
1. Outpouring by Elijah
1. Judah – Praise
2. Ruben – See a son!
3. Ephraim – Double fruitfulness
4. Dan – Judge
2. Outpouring by Elijah
5. Issachar – Reward, recompense
6. Simeon – The one who hears,answering
7. Manasseh – He takes away. He adds.
8. Asher – Blessedness, happiness
3. Outpouring by Elijah
9. Zebulon – Dwelling, habitation
10. Gad – favor, good fortune
11. Benjamin – Son of the right hand or of favor.
12. Naphtali – The one who fights. My war.
The Result Of The Restored Inner Unity Of Saints
The inner unity of every believer is necessary to walk in the cooperative unity as people of God. Only when the personal and inner unity exists in the life of saints, they are able to enter into the position of the cooperate unity of the fellowship of the saints.
If the inner unity does not exist, it is a sign that the believer is shattered and in unbalance (see Ephesians 4:14 i.c.w. James 1:6).
Ephesians 4:14:
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
James 1:6:
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
The internal imbalance can lead believers to not completely submit to their assigned leadership. Because of this reason the relevant believer recognizes the leadership`s instruction as dictatorial due to the fact that the person distinguishes leadership from a wrong perspective.
True Unity In The Midst Of The Community Of The Saints
True unity in the midst of the fellowship of the saints includes not only the importance of the regular attendance in the meetings but also the full agreement with the leadership team and the God given character of the fellowship (see Hebrews 10:25 i.c.w. Romans 15:5-6).
Hebrews 10:25:
… 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Romans 15:5-6:
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we live in the true unity of the LORD it will have the effect that the anointing and presence of God will increase in our assigned fellowship of saints so that God responds with His power, as He did in the time of Elijah on mount Carmel and at Shavuot/Pentecost (see 1 Kings 18:36-38 i.c.w. Psalm 133;. Acts 1:14; Acts 2:46).
1 Kings 18:36-38:
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.
37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
Psalm 133:
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Acts 1:14:
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 2:46:
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, …
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
