Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of Scripture, but before we do that I wanted to tell you a little story.
Ever since we moved out to the woods, I’ve heard and watched many geese as they fly in perfect formation over our house. After circling the area for a few minutes, they all come in for a landing on our lake, taking a break from their long flight, and joining each other for a quick dip. They flock together because they are similar creatures. Elephants will do the same thing, walking along in groups, as they feed on the plains of the Serengeti. Even out in the ocean, dolphins have been known to gather in huge clusters, engaging with each other in social behaviors, such as hunting food, and protecting each other from danger.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Humans are the same way and will oftentimes gather with others who share the same goals and interests, whether good or bad. In the church, we must join together with others who are like-minded, and share one common faith as we strive to serve and obey our precious Lord Jesus.
“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;” Philippians 1:27
When I was in high school, there were certain groups of people that would always hang out together. You could usually watch as they all sat down together in groups in the lunchroom. At one table you might find the athletes, while at the next, there might be some musicians gathered together. More than likely you would probably find a group of future mathematicians or theater majors. We too must surround ourselves with others who share one common thread, a love for Christ and His Holy Word.
“….follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22
In the church we must all share the same beliefs. We must all accept the same doctrine. We are not supposed to become divided over worldly opinions and Earthly philosophies. Rather, we must all share the same thought pattern, focusing our hearts and minds on the will of God. Just as geese fly in perfect formation, we almost have our ships sailing in exactly the same direction.
“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
Obviously there are people within the church who are at different levels of maturity in their faith. Some may have recently been baptized, while others are more seasoned, and have been serving Christ for many years. Wherever you may be at, each of us must be fully focused on the will of God. We must join together to grow in our faith, being perfectly united in the teachings of Christ. God has sent certain men to the church for the purpose of educating them, until we become of one mind and one Spirit.
Ephesians 4 ¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Some people are avid golfers, but what kind of similarity do they share with a basketball player? None really, because they are two completely different sports. More often than not, a golfer will be more interested in hanging out with people who golf. This is because they want to spend time around others who tend to talk a lot about their favorite thing. A Christian wants to be around others whose conversation is based in Scripture.
1 John 4 ⁵ They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁶ We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
What possible similarities can you have with others who aren’t serving Christ Jesus? What kind of relationship can the impenitent share with the penitent? Even at judgment Day, the sheep will be permanently separated from the goats. Christians must join up together with other faithful sheep, and at the same time, keep your eye out for wolves in sheep’s clothing.
….. I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” 1 Corinthians 10:20
Who you hang out with, says a lot about you. At one time or the other, all of us shared similarities with the world. We had worldly friends and relationships, and did the things that they do. Many of them may continue to live like that, but to become a Christian requires coming out from the world and being separate, sharing new relationships with others who are faithful to God.
1 Peter 4 ³ For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: ⁴ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
The choice to become a Christian requires embracing a new family, one that is serving the Heavenly Father.
2 Corinthians 6 ¹⁴ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
When you yoke with others, you join up with them. You might work side by side with them picking potatoes. You might work at the same company, striving to produce a certain product. You might become a member of a certain club, or join up with a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. Whatever it might be, people tend to hang out with others who share a common interest. It is their similarities that bring them together in a common bond. In the church, it’s supposed to be the same way. We are supposed to gather together with others who have a great desire to honor and obey our Lord Jesus Christ. But there are times when people will show up simply to infiltrate the church. They claim that they have the same interests, but their actions prove otherwise. They will seem sincere on the outside, but are completely different inwardly.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
True unity in the church is found when each of us embrace the teachings of our faith. We must surround ourselves with others who share the same beliefs, flying together towards God’s everlasting Kingdom, as….
……Birds of a Feather
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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