Category: spiritual unity

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #139

Monday, October 12, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

For countless millions, “holy communion” is a time of excessive use of manmade prayers, ringing of bells, bowing of heads and knees, eating of wafers, drinking of wine/juice, playing of music, burning of incense, crossing of one’s heart, folding of hands, wearing of costly apparel, pacing to and fro, looking up to Heaven, using special utensils, alleviating guilt, and on and on and on. There is more showmanship than spirituality, more ritualism than righteousness, more ignorance than knowledge, more formalism than truth, and more unbelief than faith. Yet, it makes these spectators feel good, closer to God, and superior to those without. If ever they were to trust the pure Gospel of Grace—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day—all these grounds for their boasting would be thrown out and permanently shut out. It would start being about what He did once for all, rather than what they do over and over again (trying to perform better each time, but failing miserably). Therefore, they would rather spend eternity in the Lake of Fire than part ways with what appeals to their sin nature and strokes their egos.

God the Holy Spirit set forth general guidelines about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 rather than specifics. He did not want us to get caught up in meticulous adherence to insignificant details and external/body rather than internal/heart (religionists become obsessed with outward form—see Matthew 23:23-33). Unlike the annual feasts of the LORD under the Law of Moses (Leviticus chapter 23), the frequency of the Lord’s Supper is not stipulated. Scripture never sets a schedule—whether daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or whatever, for that is not important. “As oft as” and “as often as” (1 Corinthians 11:25,26) are as close to any prescribed timetable as the Bible gets. We should use our renewed mind to figure out the rest. Above all, what matters is that we think about the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins—how it binds us to God, to each other (members of the Body of Christ), and even to believing Israel (Messianic Church, Little Flock).

We now pass on to yet another realm of misunderstanding….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #138

Sunday, October 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). Severe medical problems—and even no health (yea, physical death!)—resulted from the Corinthians’ sins of gluttony and drunkenness at the Lord’s Supper (verses 21,22). Just because they were Christians did not mean God would exempt them from the natural consequences of their stupidity! He simply handed them over to the aftermath of their willful choices; they had only themselves to blame.

“Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come” (verses 33,34). In the place of selfishness (verses 21,22), the Corinthians should eat together, sharing whatever food and drink they could with fellow believers. The Lord’s Supper would thus be beneficial instead of detrimental. Much chaos overwhelmed them, but at least they would resolve this problem before Paul went back to southern Greece. Twenty centuries later, the majority of our local churches have yet to improve their thoughts and activities regarding the Lord’s Supper.

Interestingly, a segment of the grace community maintains the Lord’s Supper was exclusively for the Acts transitional period. They suppose it is the Passover feast, but such is ignorance. Firstly, the Passover must always be observed in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:1,2,6), whereas the Corinthians held the Lord’s Supper in Corinth. Secondly, Paul writes how believers should observe the Lord’s Supper “till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Did Christ return at the close of Acts? No! Then, believers should still be holding the Lord’s Supper until our Dispensation of Grace ends. Paul did not “borrow” the Lord’s Supper from prophecy. It is part of the revelation of the mystery that the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ gave him (1 Corinthians 11:23)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #137

Saturday, October 10, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Instead of the Lord’s Supper being serious and reverent—a time to remember the Lord Jesus’ cruel death on the cross of Calvary—the Bible babies of Corinth made it all about amusing self. Yea, it was indistinguishable from a secular party unsaved people have with their fine foods and expensive alcoholic beverages.

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (verses 27-29). If the immature Corinthians treated this mere representation of Christ’s finished crosswork with such flippancy and contempt, what was their attitude about that actual crosswork? God the Holy Spirit condemned their outrageous conduct! Failing to esteem its memorial supper, they valued neither Calvary nor their brethren in Christ. Having animosity against believers with whom they were about to eat and drink, and a desire to be disrespectful (“eat… drink… unworthily”), they should have stayed home rather than go to church and give the Devil an occasion to divide. Yet, if they could inspect their hearts and determine God’s Spirit had filled them with an attitude of grace, they should absolutely partake of the Lord’s Supper and get better acquainted with the people with whom they will share eternity in Heaven….

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The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #136

Friday, October 9, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies [sects or disagreements caused by false teaching] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not” (1 Corinthians 11:17-21).

Having accepted so much false teaching, the church at Corinth was exceedingly fractured into little denominations (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Therefore, when they publicly assembled for “worship,” it was more destructive than beneficial. In fact, it was better for them to stay home and not meet at all! Their alleged “Lord’s Supper” was an occasion to the flesh, and the Holy Spirit through their Apostle denounced them as holding nothing but the Devil’s Supper. Why? Wealthier Corinthian saints were partying as drunkards and gluttons, not sharing their food or their drink with their fellow brethren in Christ (who were poorer and could not afford such luxuries). This selfish behavior only reinforced their schisms. What God had intended to be a solemn occasion, the Corinthians reduced it to just another social function—no different from lost people getting together to “have a good time!” Even now, in the spirit of Corinth, there are modern churches who could not care less about sound Bible doctrine… but they readily congregate at “God’s house” to enjoy delicious potluck dinners (the food, fun, fellowship, and foolishness of denominationalism).

Let us see what else Corinthians can teach us….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #17

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Despite the (hopefully) underlying sincerity, it is vain church tradition to urge unbelievers and new believers to begin reading the Holy Bible in the Book of John. Yea, it is more preferable for them to start in the Book of Romans. After all, Paul’s epistle (formal doctrinal letter) to the Romans is actually divided into four “grace pillars” which constitute the foundation of the Christian life. How does the Christian life commence? Read Romans! How does the Christian life work? Read Romans!

Romans chapters 1–5 is justification, having a right standing before God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Chapters 6–8 is sanctification, being set apart unto God’s purposes (chapter 6 is how we are dead to sin, chapter 7 is how we are dead to the Law, and chapter 8 is how we are alive unto God by the indwelling Holy Spirit). Romans chapters 9–11 is dispensation, how we are not Israel and how we have not replaced Israel (chapter 9 is Israel’s past, chapter 10 is Israel’s present, and chapter 11 is Israel’s future). Chapters 12–16 is application of grace principles to specific daily situations and circumstances (renewed mind, living with fellow Christians and unbelievers, human government, weaker brethren, unity among members of the local church, et cetera).

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7). Our “walk” is our Christian conduct or service—and it works by faith in Christ just as we received Him by faith (see verse 5). “Rooted in Him” suggests life (like a plant), whereas “built up in Him” implies firmness (like a structure). “Stablished in the faith” is stabilized according to sound/healthy Bible doctrine which we must first be “taught,” for our Christian life will not operate on the basis of Bible ignorance. We should be immensely grateful to God for what He has done for us. Yet, Colossians 2:8 issues a warning….

Sin Divides #13

Thursday, February 13, 2020

“Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house” (Micah 7:5,6 KJV).

In religious circles, it is frequently bemoaned, “Doctrine divides! Doctrine divides! We should throw away ‘doctrine’ and just assemble around ‘love!’” Today’s Scripture and its context expose that dictum for the utter foolhardiness that it really is….

Doctrine does not divide; doctrine is not the problem. Sin divides; sin is the problem. False doctrine resulting from sin is to blame. True, if we gather around mere sentiments—so-called “love” instead of sound Bible doctrine—we have a semblance of harmony. Alas, such human efforts will not successfully substitute true unity (God’s life). That shallowness will eventually fail because true love—God’s life—is absent. Unless we maintain sound Bible doctrine, we can never have meaningful, permanent concord!

We do not create harmony using “love.” Genuine love—seeking another person’s highest good—is accomplished via sound Bible doctrine. Once we trust the doctrine that defines Almighty God’s life, then we experience in and among ourselves the selflessness that exists among the Members of the Godhead. Looking at Calvary, we see God’s love for us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Do you appreciate the unselfishness here? The sinless Son of God dying a cruel death to pay for our—not His!—sins? Nowhere else will we find such self-sacrifice! “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

When we trust the Gospel of the Grace of God, then God the Holy Spirit will create in us His nature and attitude. Here is how man gets along with fellow man—and woman! “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7—the verse following today’s Scripture). While sin has caused divisions in Israel, Micah understood that the LORD would take care of it! 🙂

Sin Divides #12

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

“Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house” (Micah 7:5,6 KJV).

In religious circles, it is frequently bemoaned, “Doctrine divides! Doctrine divides! We should throw away ‘doctrine’ and just assemble around ‘love!’” Today’s Scripture and its context expose that dictum for the utter foolhardiness that it really is….

The God of creation designed human life to function the same way life operates within the Godhead. As God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (unselfishly) seek each other’s benefit and glory rather than their own, so creation was intended to reflect those relationships. Adam was created in God’s image and likeness to be the manifestation of Divine living. The Creator issued parameters—doctrine, or teaching to be believed and obeyed—within which Adam (mankind) was to conduct himself. Harmony existed between God and man, and man and woman, until that Divine revelation was ignored in the Garden of Eden. Sin entered by Adam’s unbelief and disobedience. The doctrine that unifies was intentionally forsaken. Accordingly, selfishness and disharmony permeate human civilization.

When we reflect upon all the world’s problems—and there are more than we can fathom—let us remember that it was sin that caused (and still causes) them. Think of those suffering tremendously with sickness and disease. Creation is cursed because of Adam. Consider the endless wars, crimes, divorces, poverty, ignorance, homelessness, and so on. These are the results of poor decisions. We are stuck in a perpetual cycle of operating outside of God’s will for human existence.

Try as hard as we might, we will not eliminate the selfishness (evil) that resides in every human heart. Legislations, incarcerations, hospitalizations, denominations, conversations, proclamations, denunciations, corporations, approbations, aspirations, ordinations, educations, sensations, and orations cannot eliminate sin. What we need is expiation (payment for sin). What we need is salvation (deliverance from sin). What we need is sanctification (set apart for God’s purposes). What we need is justification (righteousness of God).

Let us conclude this devotionals arc….

Sin Divides #11

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

“Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house” (Micah 7:5,6 KJV).

In religious circles, it is frequently bemoaned, “Doctrine divides! Doctrine divides! We should throw away ‘doctrine’ and just assemble around ‘love!’” Today’s Scripture and its context expose that dictum for the utter foolhardiness that it really is….

Notice such unfortunate traits of the Corinthian Christians: “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” (1 Corinthians 1:10). “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (11:18,19). Denominations, sects, and cliques will be our lot if we soften the importance of doctrine!

Sound Bible doctrine creates unity. Ephesians chapter 4: “[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

We are not struggling to get along with others superficially (often confused with true unity). Rather, we maintain the sound Bible doctrine that produces genuine, lasting unity. Unity at the expense of sound doctrine is not unity at all; it is nothing more than shared ignorance of Satan’s policy of evil and fleshliness. Moreover, since our sinful flesh caused the split, reliance on the flesh only deepens and fosters additional discord.

Let us summarize this devotionals arc….

Striving, Not Striving #5

Sunday, February 10, 2019

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1,2 KJV).

Rather than striving with each other, we saints need to strive together.

Philippians chapter 2 continues: “[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Here is the “mind” all Christians should have. It is a mental attitude of utter selflessness, total humility, and undivided dedication to Father God’s will. Dear brethren, if we would believe and obey these verses, then the inconsequential disagreements and stupid arguments would disappear from our local churches. We would set aside self and look to benefit others. If Euodias and Syntyche followed these Divine instructions, then they would “be of the same mind in the Lord.”

Now, we turn back to Philippians chapter 1: “[27] Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; [28] And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”

Recall that “the gospel of Christ” focuses on Christ’s finished crosswork. Philippians 2:5-8 reports that a certain mentality drove Christ to Calvary. If we adopt His attitude, then we will “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Our passion will be the defense of sound Bible doctrine as opposed to trifling opinions and self-centeredness. Then, our efforts will make a positive impact in eternity—something well worth our time and effort! 🙂

Striving, Not Striving #4

Saturday, February 9, 2019

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1,2 KJV).

Rather than striving with each other, we saints need to strive together.

As in every city, there were in Philippi “adversaries” or lost people contrary to the preaching of the Gospel (Philippians 1:28). They labored to frighten the Philippian saints into silence. Hence, verse 27 had exhorted these believers: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel….” All Christians are on the same team, and should (!) be with each other (in mind and action) in the work of the ministry.

However, our sinful flesh gets in the way. The work of the ministry breaks down when one or more Christians adopt an attitude or opinion the Scriptures do not support. Now, lost and saved, those within and without, are united in upsetting God’s work. Philippians chapter 2 corrects this sin of pride of selfishness: “[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, [2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Like team sports, each member should be thinking about how to make the next point or goal. Inner conflicts are counterproductive: they do not compete against teammates. Likewise, we should not be vying against fellow members of the Body of Christ. It is not about us. We do not have to have the attention or recognition (what the flesh craves). For the sake of God’s work, Paul asks Euodias and Syntyche to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” God’s mind should unite all Christians….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “‘Speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt?’”