FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

John 17:8-21; John 13:35; Ephesians 2:5, 6, 21, 22; 4:16; II Corinthians 5:16; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 3:8-17; Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 5:39, 43, 44; 18:21, 22; Luke 23:34; I Peter 2:21-23; Ephesians 4:31, 32

The scriptures teach us how to overcome our stereotypical thoughts and prejudices and instead be “one-body minded.” The standard for Christ-like men and women is the truth. Jesus Christ taught his disciples so they would, in turn, pass it on to others. Jesus’ prayer was for oneness and called for an acknowledgement that all were on a level playing field. It is interesting to realize that believers all over the world (New Guinea or China, for example) can be receiving the same message about oneness. The Word of God is universal to all languages, countries and backgrounds.

Love is the badge of Christianity. Jesus said all men would recognize his disciples by the love they had for one another. We all are members in the one Body of Christ and therefore can love each other regardless of differences in appearance, gender, background or language.

When we operate the spirit of God to live that new nature of love, renewing our minds to the Word, we not only edify the Body, but ourselves as well. It is vitally important to go to the Word of God and utilize the spirit of God to put away our prejudices and be transformed into Christ-like men and women.

Often we extend love, mercy, and kindness to those who are around us. But do we do so with those with whom we are not so familiar? Do we do so with those who have different opinions or are unkind to us? We are to forbear one another and forgive one another. When we forgive, there is a commitment not to reopen the wound, but to reinstate that person to his or her former place in our heart of fellowship. Forgiveness is also not dependent upon whether someone asks us for it. We are not to recompense or pay back evil for evil to anyone. It is easy to put up walls but it takes heart and discipline to take them down. To truly love, we must give our hearts away. We go to God’s Word and remember the oneness He has called us to. We are one family!