Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Eph 4:7) “ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”   The measure is literally “a degree of”.  What does that mean? I can only say that whatever I or you receive, it is sufficient to cover our sins! Praise His Name! 

(Eph 4:3) “ 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.”  Endeavor, try your very best, to keep the unity of the Spirit among yourselves in the church. It is not, “I must have my way”, but instead, what is best for God’s children as a whole. In context, we have each the same God the Father, the same Lord and Savior, have experienced the same baptism of the Holy Spirit, and look for the same eternity. We will dwell in total unity there, so get started, as much as is humanly possible – down here. 

Eph 4:3) “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,   There are those who approach doctrinal error, or sin on their part, such as in the mode of baptism, as ok as long as they are sincere in their motivation. Wrong. Sin is still sin no matter the motivation. A person can be sincerely wrong. The true Believer is to endorse truth, even if it means condemning self’s past actions. Humility is never easy, yet needful and blessed by God: (Jas 4:10) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” 

(Eph 4:3) “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,   Most think that it doesn’t really matter what mode of baptism you have had, as long as your heart is right with God. Wrong. The mode of baptism represents a picture of the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus! It also says we were buried with Him in death and raised with Him in the sight of God (Rom 6) ! To distort baptism is to distort the gospel. So, yes, it matters to God!

(Eph 4:3) “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,   There are those who at times say, “The Lord said such and such a thing to me.” Dr. David A Cavin, pastor of High Street Baptist Church of Springfield, Mo, long with the Lord now, once told how a missionary called him and said, “The Lord told me you would buy me a new car.” His response: “When He tells me, you’ll get it.” The Bible says, (1Jn_4:1)  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  It is not how good one speaks, how nice a person is, or how dynamic the personality, that should demand our obedience. It is whether the Spirit of God has spoken through that person. IF they are of God, their words will agree with the Bible. Sadly, most believers have not studied the Word enough to “try the spirits”.  

(Eph 4:3) “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.”  Within the body of Christ, we are to dwell together in unity of heart. Some only practice “going to church” out of habit or conscience. They do not ever stay to fellowship, develop relationships. That is not unity. If we are truly saved, we are part of one another as we are “one” in Christ. Take the time. Do what really pleases the Lord.  

(Eph 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. “   The actions and responses of the previous verses are for the purpose of testimony, glorification, and blessings upon the church and therefore upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not always possible (endeavoring)  since so many professing believers today do not read the Word, and therefore cannot live what they do not know. Fleshly, willful individuals harm the people (church) and moreso the Lord’s reputation, (Jn 13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”!

(Eph 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;”  To forbear means to “hold back”, as in Romans it speaks of God’s forbearance of judgment of OT saints while anticipating the cross to pay for those sins. In the case before us, we forbear our feelings and responses to others and keep on loving those brothers and sisters in Christ and for Christ. As in all of true Christianity, self is to put on the back burner and others put in the forefront! May the Holy Spirit help us to learn this!