Studies by Book
Luke 22 1-6 THE HATCHING OF THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS 06 Luke 22 4 Love and oneness within the body of Christ
📖 Luke 22:1-6
*FRIEND OF GOD*
Fri02Jul2021 - *Love and oneness within the body of Christ* - _Luke 22:1-6_ - THE HATCHING OF THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS (06) – Bible reading: _John 17:21-23_
*The Lord is calling us to a life of oneness in the body of Christ*. This is a fundamental identity of the church. We see how far we have drifted away from this basis.
We, today, are more individualistic in our walk with God. Yes, there is the matter of our personal relationship with Christ but we are a body, we are the building of God, where each brick is built into each other and thereby we complete the dwelling place of God.
When we see signs of individualism and an independent spirit developing amongst us, we must root it out immediately. Independence and seeking to be separate, are clear indicators that the devil is at play.
The Lord created us to be one but the devil will work to divide us.
_Luke 22:4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them._
A confederacy and co-operation was forming between Judas and the religious leaders. Though there was an alliance between them, for the purpose of killing Jesus, this was highly superficial and there was no deep bonding between them.
When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he was heartbroken and he wanted to retrace his steps.
_Matthew 27:3-5 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (4) saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" (5) Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself._
This was a sad end of Judas. Did the religious leaders care for Judas? No, they did not.
We said that the plans of the devil are contradictory and chaotic. When we see disorder and confusion, anywhere, then we can be certain as to who is behind what is taking place.
Here is yet another sign that should tell us who is at work behind the scene. This sign is the lack of genuine oneness and bonding. Whenever we see individualism, a spirit of wanting to be separate, a work that does not build submission to one another, then we can be certain as to who is at work.
Whereas, for us, in the body of Christ, our bonding with one another is part of our relationship with God. Our relationship with God is not just an individualistic relationship. Yes, we must grow into the image of Jesus but this growth is both individually as well as together, as His people.
_Ephesians 4:13 till *we all come to the unity of the faith* and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;_
We are constantly developing and cultivating our growth into the image of Jesus as a body and not just as individuals. When we see the spirit of independence and separatism in the body of Christ, we must bind the activity of the evil one and cast him out.
Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee.
_James 3:14-18 But *if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth*. (15) This wisdom does not descend from above, *but is earthly, sensual, demonic*. (16) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (17) But *the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy*. (18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace._
One of the fundamental identifying marks of who we are, is the oneness in the body of Christ.
_John 17:21-23 that *they all may be one*, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that *they also may be one in Us*, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (22) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that *they may be one just as We are one*: (23) I in them, and You in Me; that *they may be made perfect in one*, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me._
_John 17:26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that *the love with which You loved Me may be in them*, and I in them."_
The Lord is giving us the love that the Father has for Him (Jesus) so that we will be one.
This oneness and love amongst us is the qualifying identifier that makes the world know that we are of God. This is what will draw the world to the church and know the truth.
*Building oneness and love amongst one another in the body of Christ is not just appreciable but this is the decider of whose we are*. Are we of God or are we of the devil?
*Thought to ponder*
```It looks like we have given up on building oneness in the body of Christ, as a non-achievable reality. Consider, friends, how far the devil has deceived us?```