The Ties That Bind- Growing Together In Spiritual Unity
“The instant bond of fellowship between Christians… it’s such a testimony to the life changing power of the gospel.” In this post, Brad acknowledges the spiritual unity between believers, and is thankful for the ties that bind us together.
The Ties That Bind
The “ties that bind.” What a beautiful sentiment, expressed in so few words. The application is to family, and how the relationship between family members can bind the heart together, over distance and time…relationships that span a lifetime.
Now that our children have grown; and work and education have taken them out of the province, my wife and I are experiencing this firsthand. Though there is a geographical distance between us, a phone call or text, a Gmail or Facebook message keeps us connected, and the “ties that bind” have become more apparent. There is a realization that love and relationship have long cords that transcend distance and time, and keep us bound and closely knit together.
The Bond Of Christian Love
As we think about the blessings of familial love, we acknowledge also, that God has knit us together in the bond of Christian love. We are united with every other believer, brothers and sisters, heirs and joint heirs; with, and in the body of Christ.
Paul says, “ for we being many are one body in Christ Jesus, and everyone members one of the other”.
As we gather each week to fellowship in our own local churches, the sweet bond of Christian love, the union of spirit, has undoubtedly been in place for years. Like family, we have, or should have, an unspoken love that permeates our fellowship. It truly is wonderful and beautiful beyond words, the joy that is experienced when “Christians dwell together in spiritual unity”.
But it is good, and it is prudent for us to be reminded that the joy of unity in Christ is truly with every believer, and to call to remembrance the instantaneous bond that is celebrated even upon first meeting a brother or sister to whom we are newly acquainted.
Brothers And Sisters In Christ
Last November, I met a wonderful Christian couple at a Christmas market. Our connection was instant, and powerful. The conversation ebbed and flowed seamlessly as we shared in and expressed our love for Jesus. We were experiencing together, the joys of our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ; who would apart from that be strangers otherwise.
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I visited with this dear couple and fellowshipped at their small gathering with about 20 others. Once again, we were enveloped in a warm blanket of Christian love, and it was such a dear reminder of how full and rich the provision of our Heavenly Father is, to every lost soul, called out of darkness into light, into fellowship, into the family of God.
The instant bond of fellowship between Christians… it’s such a testimony to the life changing power of the gospel. Just think of the gatherings large and small, around the world, of brothers and sisters called to the name of Christ. As we consider these things, we realize that brothers and sisters who the Lord has called to take to the roads with travelling ministries, are overwhelmingly refreshed by the family of sisters and brothers; most we may undoubtedly never meet. The Apostle Paul in his journeys was so appreciative of this bond, that was both spiritual and physical. He said “acknowledge ye them that are such, for they have refreshed my spirit and yours”.
Truly, God empowers each of us with the ability to refresh one another. We are exhorted to do such. And just as the ties of family bind us together, so too, the ties within the family of God; ever strengthening our bonds as we “grow in grace and knowledge.”
Growing Together In Spiritual Unity
I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters with whom the Lord has blessed me with regular, ongoing fellowship. But equally, I rejoice in every opportunity that materializes where I can come together with Christians I’ve never met, experiencing afresh our God appointed relationship as beloved siblings.
“ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all”.
Thank you Lord God for your eternal love, and the love that you have planted within the heart of every believer. May the “ties that bind”, draw us ever closer to thee today.
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Brad Hewey
Brad offers up practical, scriptural advice from a perspective borne out of everyday life encounters. As we live and move and have our being…it’s the individual life lessons that most often present the greatest challenges, but can yield the richest blessings. We’ve all, as Christians had those faith-affirming moments, where we’ve had an overwhelming sense of God’s spirit, or his very presence “at a particular but, maybe random time”.
Brad was born and still resides in a small community in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where he and his wife Karen raised their 3 children. Brad & Karen fellowship at the Greenland Bible Chapel, where Brad serves as an elder.
Brad loves meeting and engaging with people. His background in sales has provided opportunities to travel throughout the US and Canada, networking with people from all walks of life. Brad is a singer/songwriter and has recorded 3 Christian albums. Songs from his “Brighter Day” release, have aired on Christian Radio stations across Canada and two of Brad’s albums are on HopeStreamRadio’s playlist.
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