About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2013)
PAGE 4 THE BYRON BUZZ SECTION of The GEORGIA POST Thursday, January 24,2013 What Is Meant By Unity ? What are we talking about when we say “unity”? Webster says that unity is: (1) the quality or state of not being multiple; oneness; (2) a condition of harmony; accord. And in Roget’s II The New The saurus (1980), unity is defined as: (1) The condition of being one; (2) The state of individuals who are in utter agreement. (3) A bringing to gether into a whole. Some other words to define unity are: one ness, singleness, harmony, soli darity, and union. Does the Bible emphasize the necessity for unity among Christians? Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will beheve in Me through their word; 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. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made per fect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” To attain Bibli cal unity, we must have more than “unity in diversity” as some orga nizations say. Jesus prayer was for us to be ONE as He and the Father are one and then in I Cor. 1:10 Paul tells us, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Religious leaders of today are working for all religious bodies to “unite” in proclaiming a religious message, thinking this will meet the “unity” for which Jesus Christ prayed in John 17. Paul clearly tells us this religious joining together does not meet the ONENESS test spoken of by Jesus. First of all we must all “speak the same thing”. This is referring to the gospel message of Jesus and His plan of salvation. A study of religious teachings today definitely lets us know that doctri nal teachings are too diverse and many fail to follow the examples and practices of the New Testa ment churches. Protestants, Catholics and even Jews, might form some kind of alhance, but until some of them make radical changes in their doc trinal belief and practice they will not attain Biblical Unity! Eph. 4:3-6 tells us, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your call ing; one Lord, one faith, one bap tism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Rehgious bodies that differ in doctrine and wor ship practices may tolerate one another’s differences and form a union, but until they, “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judg ment” they will not have the unity that Jesus prayed for, “they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You”. Unity is good for the glory of God. It is through our rehgious unity, “that the world may believe that You sent Me.” God is hon ored in the eyes of the world when His people all believe, teach and practice the same things. Jesus prayed that by seeing the unity of His people, would come to be lieve in God. If the unity of God’s people can cause the people of the world to believe and obey God, then that unity is certainly good for the world! Unity of teachings and practices would be good for the world because it would elimi nate all the confusion which exists now in the minds of people, mak ing it difficult for them to know who is teaching the truth of God’s word. John 8:3lb-32 tells us, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It is a pleasant thing for brethren to dwell togeth er in unity, (see Psalm 133:1) for unity promotes peace and harmo ny. When brethren do not dwell together in unity the very opposite conditions exist. The lack of uni ty promotes strife, discord and an absence of peace, which hinders and restricts the positive message God’s people are to portray to the world. Christian unity brings peace both in doctrine and practice, so when practiced according to Bi ble principles, it should produce peaceful and loving relationships between men. We are to dwell together in peace but still we re alize that the devil walks around James Earnhardt Evangelist Church of Christ seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), none are exempt from him. Gal. 5:25-Gal 6:1 tells Chris tians “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritu al restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” For us to be pleasing and ac ceptable to God our Father, we must practice unity among breth ren just as Paul said, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined to gether in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Bible quotations are from the New King James Version unless otherwise stated. For questions or comments please contact James Earnhardt at 478-825-7517. ^ Photography Classes www.BeginningPhotoClinicS.coxn Classes for all ability levels - (478) 956-6973 bonniesworkshops@gmail.com Becky Carroll Wilcox FREE CONSULTATIONS! General Trial Practice (478) 257-6100 577 Mulberry St.,Suite 110, Down town Macon Advertise Here Today to make SOMETHING HAPPEN Tomorrow! HUMo) qjwxm €TC. Antique Clock Repairs Grandfather, Wall, Cuckoo, All Types BUY • SELL • REPAIR J.J. (Joe) Bales 113 S. Camellia Blvd. Fort Valley, GA31030 (478) 827-1111 230 Hwy. 49 N. Byron (478) 956-4007 Proliferation Of Racism I have purposely been re luctant in pursuing the sub ject of ’’racism” in past col umns; for the mere mention of such, seems to bring am plification of the problems which have long existed. And I will not catalogue the intricacies of the dilemma; knowing that ’’forty voices” will rise to bring indictment to my comer. Most everyone is extremely weary of hearing the chatter, and reading the lines of printed materials; and what I hope can be related, at least requested with this writ ing—is that all the pundits (left, right, down the center), would shut down the dissent, and ’’get a life”. Since I am a former musician-and played to the steps of throngs in the past-one thing has been ex tensively noted! That ’’when the music stops, the dancers take their seat!” I pray that those who are peacemakers of ’’diplo matic jurisprudence” will simply relinquish their say; and understand the adage that ’’indeed silence can be gold en”. A daily diet, of both lo cal and national criticism, is nauseating. Please allow me to add a few definitive words—with which I promise that you will not hear me expound upon the subject henceforth. For most of my 83 years, I have worked with all rac es, colors, and creeds—and I have learned that there is both progression and digres sion among all who breathe! I have no qualms with any sector-and I am not preju diced toward any nationality. All are whatever they are- whatever that means—and in spite of calloused gesture and endless phrase from the periphery-very little will change. Credible statistics are also what they are-even if that makes some unhappy- —and that too, is difficult to alter. Daniel W. Gatlyn, USN Ret., Minister/ Journalist Personalities, in and out of government, who have diffi culty coping with conditions as they are (or modified) ; will probably remain in an ’’intolerant corner”—and nothing you say or do will make things better! In fact, their conduct and thought patterns, are general ly predicated upon the terms proclaimed by others who are disenchanted. Knowing this to be a fact— pessimists should readily agree that a persis tent ’’growl” brings nothing more than perpetuation of adverse conduct. There will be those to argue that civil rights has ’’arrived” because of the lingering voice; and to be sure, their ’’ringing of the bell” brought measures of success—but not anymore! The saturation of accusation, is now cause for proliferation- -and acceleration of adverse social qualities. A ’’mellowing out” is long overdue! Seeds of realism and a humane stance have been planted-and culti vated! ! It is time to patiently claim a harvest. More flies can be caught with honey, than with a ’’swatter”. It is time for wisdom to replace dialogue and daring. Catch ing up does not justify an advanced plunder! History reveals that an unrest prevails with many when they are not leading the parade! Mr, 1-877-68CRIME Crimestoppers is a program designed to solve crimes with the help of concerned citizens. This effective program asks that community members fight crime by supplying leads and in formation which may assist in bringing criminals face to face with justice. It is anonymously done. AM AC 0 N REGIONAL Crimestoppers Amanda Frazier: W/F DOB 09-13-86 Age 26 507 162 lbs. Wanted by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of Probation. Cheryl May: W/F DOB 09-15-88 Age 24 508 130 lbs. Wanted by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of Probation. Tanner Kitchens: W/M DOB 08-30-77 Age 35 506 160 lbs. Wanted by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for Child Support. 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