Leading With Love

Psalm 32:8-11¹NIV New International Version Translations
⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. ⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. ¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. ¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Background

We have a Psalm of David.

David probably wrote Psalm 32 after he had slept with Bathsheba and he sent Uriah to die in battle. After David married Bathsheba, it took him awhile to ask God to forgive him. As a result he was very unhappy. But when David confessed his sin to God, God forgave him and David’s happiness returned to him.

There are 7 Repentance Psalms: 6,38 51,102, 130 and 143.

David is telling us that God teaches by His word, and  God guides us through the power of His will by simply watching and caring for us. David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is also a word of comfort to those who follow God’s commands. They may see a life of constant communication with God. This, of course, is the most pleasant and comfortable relationship to be in.

David concludes his verses by by reminding us to rejoice in the Lord and rejoice in our salvation.

Items for Discussion

• What is the difference between instruction and teaching? God does both (see verse 8)
• Why is God’s forgiveness so hard to understand for humans?
• What does it tell you about our God that there is no sin too big that He will not forgive?
• What does it mean to you that  “God’s eye is always upon you?” Why is that important?

Ephesians 4:1-6
¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Background

The apostle Paul was a prisoner literally on many occasions during his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23), and specifically when he penned this letter to Ephesus (cf. 6:20). But in a greater way, Paul had become the prisoner “of” Jesus in that he had surrendered his self-interests to his Lord (Philemon 10,13) for whom he gladly suffered.

Paul tells us that there is far more to unity than  friendliness. There also is the unity of truth. Truth is consistent, meaning that Christians “all speak the same thing,” and that there are “no divisions” among each group. That seems pretty dramatic, especially when one considered the hundreds of differing denominations that exist just within the Christian Church. The idea of unity, therefore, is a goal, never to be achieved by our society of flawed people. However, that should not stop us from pursuing our goal of being united in Christ.

Seven times in verses four through six the numeral “one” (heis) is found. The term is used to indicate the singularity of something, emphasizing that there is but one only. While we may be flawed, the Holy Spirit is not.  The goal as a follower of Jesus is to:

• Believe in one God
• Have one faith
• Celebrate one baptism
• Be one body
• Have one hope
• Be united in one Love

Do you notice what is missing from Paul’s list? Being united does not mean we are united with one opinion.  We are, as Christians, expected to have differing opinions on worldly matters.  What is to bring us together is One Christ.

Items for Discussion

• How would you define unity?
• What evidence would you expect to find if you went to a “United” church, one that displayed Christian unity?
• What is the significance of the Capital S on the word spirit?  How does that affect your definition of unity?
• How do we assure ourselves that we are following “one Truth?”

Discussion Challenge

• What activities would a congregation focus on if they were trying to build one Spirit?