In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22

Nature itself holds many marvelous mysteries and wonders. This physical world has processes of nature that once discovered can be utilized to produce many constructive things. For example - fire is a force of nature. Fire left to itself only destroys. Fire controlled is harnessed to be productive. Fire controlled inside a combustion engine moves our vehicles. Fire controlled in devices - cooks our meals, heats our homes and runs our industries. In short fire uncontrolled is destructive - while fire controlled becomes an invaluable and indispensable asset that makes life more livable.

A more mysterious and almost magical process of nature is the formation of gems and crystals - things of beauty and wonder. I'll just mention crystals because that is a simple process that we all may be familiar with if we have ever made rock candy. Rock candy is the crystal form of granulated sugar. To create the crystal - sugar must be dissolved in a solvent solution. In this case water is the solvent and what happens is the sugar becomes invisible in the solution. Visually it is impossible to see the sugar and there would be no way to know that what looks like plain water is actually hiding sugar in plain sight.

We could taste it but that only works because the water and sugar are both edible. Other crystals require caustic solvents and unpalatable minerals so tasting is not an option. But visually a normally visible substance is dissolved and made invisible within a liquid solution.

The magic happens when the liquid portion is removed - the invisible becomes visible as solids appear and form into geometric shapes. Those shapes are magically sculpted by the unseen processes of nature and that is what gives gems and crystals the awe inspiring qualities they possess.

I said all the above to say there are many invisible processes going on all around us all the time. Being invisible does not mean it is not there and nothing is happening. And connecting this natural visible world to the invisible Kingdom of God we need wisdom to understand just because these eyes don't see things - doesn't mean things aren't happening. Trees continually produce the air you need to breath. Evaporation produces the clouds that produce the fresh water you need to drink.

The fact is that things are happening but they are happening according to God's processes and schedule. We are all in world created by God and this world runs and operates according to God's control and order.

What God has been doing according to His wisdom in controlling the processes and timing is to create "an habitation of God through the Spirit." God is controlling the elements of our natural world in order to make something invaluable and indispensable for His Kingdom. Namely the Church - His Bride - The Eternal habitation of God.

The premise of this study is simple: the unity of God's people is not primarily a human achievement. It is part of a work God Himself is performing. He is taking people who are scattered, separated and different, joining them to Christ and to one another, giving them His Spirit, and building them together into His eternal habitation. Our responsibility is not to invent that unity, but to recognize it, preserve it, participate in it and grow into its fullness.

If we draw from the crystal producing processes we know we need a caustic solution that dissolves and mineral elements that dissolve in that solution. So what is the parallel comparison with God's Kingdom?

The caustic solution: This world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:15-16

The elements that dissolve and become invisible: The "They" who are being "kept".

...Because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14

What makes them "not of the world"?

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. John 17:8

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Joh 17:17

We are sanctified to be set apart as something different than all the rest. The world hates us - the world contains hate - it is caustic. But we are in this caustic world being "kept".

How are we being kept?

...your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

If you take the time to read John 17 you will find why in my opinion this is one of the most profound chapters in the entire Bible. God is not collecting followers. God is building His eternal habitation using separated elements. Separated from the "hate" by being hid in Christ. Being hid can also be looked at as being dissolved. Which means your calling has placed you into an operation of God - where only God know what you will be.

1Jn 3:2  ...and it doth not yet appear what we shall be...

Our consolation is being hid or dissolved into Christ makes us inseparable - one new substance that is currently invisible. Being hid in Christ is the epicenter for us looking for that hope. We need to understand being hid in Christ changes everything. It transforms - transcends and creates a brand new being - "The New Creature".

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

The Inseparability of One:

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:21-23

Repetition makes knowing what is on God's mind obvious. What is on God's mind is not collecting servants. This passage goes way beyond that. Gaining a Bride becomes the obvious inference as that is God's ordained institution that makes two separate entities into one lawful entity. And in the case of the body of Christ - many are brought into one body. Many are hid with Christ.

One New Substance that is currently invisible:

"The Jerusalem from above" is not comprised of what is currently visible. She will come down from heaven, from God. The City built without hands. The City God sent Abraham out into the wilderness to find. Hmm... The narrative in Genesis makes no apparent mention of this city. But the writer of Hebrews does many centuries later. Many centuries later when we could put two and two together and realize what "I am thy exceeding and great reward" means in the light of a Bride married to God. Exceeding and great hardly touches it.

Take some time - let that settle - let that fill you with the hope it is meant to be.

But, but, but - What we see don't look so good...

If that is the hope and it is God's intention that we should all be one - all glorious and grand - then we have to deal honestly with what our eyes presently see.

We don't see one.

We see scattered, broken and as confused as ever.

We see denominations, organizations, independent churches, competing doctrines, wounded people, broken relationships and believers separated from one another by generations of disagreement. Some divisions exist because truth matters and error cannot simply be ignored. Others exist because pride, personalities, traditions, offenses and the weaknesses common to all mankind have pulled people apart. Whatever the reasons, what we see with our natural eyes looks nothing like the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17.

If the reality of creating a unified Church depended entirely upon us, there would be good reason to despair. Two thousand years of humans trying their hand at this Church thing has only proven the impossibility of human efforts.

But perhaps that is exactly why God gives us pictures of impossibility. The story of the Bible is the story of God doing many impossible things. One narrative that comes to mind that demonstrates how impossible things get done is the story of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones.

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones... and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. Ezekiel 37:1-2

Ezekiel's life spanned from before Israel was conquered by Babylon to some time after the conquest. So a holy man living during this time would certainly be filled with dismay. A dismay that could have found relief in seeing an army that could stand up to Babylon. But nope, he was not shown an army waiting to charge. Or armies just waiting to heal from battles. He wasn't shown dead bodies waiting to be resurrected. What he saw was armies that had disintegrated into a bone yard. Their individual parts had been scattered across an entire valley and enough time had passed that the bones were "very dry."

Then God asked Ezekiel a question.

Son of man, can these bones live? Ezekiel 37:3

From the perspective of anything Ezekiel alone could accomplish, or even a captive people could accomplish there was only one honest and reasonable answer: No, nope, no way.

But Ezekiel did not let what his eyes were seeing answer that question for him. Instead, very wisely he said:

And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Ezekiel 37:3

Ezekiel was honest in implying he did not know but there was enormous faith contained in those few words than what we can immediately recognize.

Ezekiel honestly did not know how the bones could live. He did not know how God would bring them together. He did not know which bone belonged where. He wasn't given a diagram showing him how to reconstruct thousands of bodies scattered across a valley.

He simply knew that God knew.

That distinction is important. Faith does not require us to understand God's entire process. Nor does faith require us to "see" the end results with these human eyes. Faith has different eyes - like Abraham who saw a City thousands of years ahead - not in his time - but in God's time. Faith does requires us to trust the One who knows the end from the beginning.

If we put ourselves into Ezekiel's sandals and think about what he was seeing and what God was asking of him - What would you expect to see or God to do with this valley of long gone dead dry bones? Well, God then told Ezekiel to do something that in my mind would only create more questions.

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Ezekiel 37:4

Wait what? Do bones hear? Do bones respond? Lord, I need a living army to free us from Babylon. Hello... prophesy to bones? Really?

He wasn't told to organize committees to determine which bones belonged together. Ezekiel wasn't told to walk through the valley doing DNA tests to match bones. None of that. He wasn't told to do a recruitment drive and find live volunteers. Nope.

He was told to speak the Word God had given him. Remember, here Ezekiel is given a word to speak. Remember and consider Jesus has also given us His word. If we are to "see" anything let us "see" what His word can accomplish.

So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel 37:7-8

Bone to his bone.

God knew where every scattered fragment and piece belonged.

In our own intellect we can indeed see broken, fragmented and scattered but we do not know how the bone reconnects to its corresponding bone. Likewise we see brokenness across Christendom and we as individuals see an impossibility. All we can say right now if unity is God's stated goal then it is only He who knows how that will happen and like Ezekiel have faith.

And here we begin to see something about the process of God. God does not start with fully functional, fully equipped beings. He starts at the impossible - with the broken, scattered and fragmented. But were those bones alive? The first thing God did was not breathe life into the scattered bones.

First, He brought them together as a staging ground.

Bones came together. Sinews appeared. Flesh appeared. Skin covered them. What had been scattered throughout a valley now possessed order and structure - they looked like people but something was still missing.

...but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel 37:8

They were assembled and together but... Churches assemble and come together but...

But being together was not enough for those bones at that time. Might that indicate assembling alone might not provide all the answers?

This distinction may be one of the most important things we can understand about Christian unity. People can organize themselves. Institutions can gather people. Creeds can bring people into agreement. Common causes can put thousands of people under the same roof.

But only God can give life.

So God spoke to Ezekiel a second time for additional requirements.

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind... Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. Ezekiel 37:9

The first work brought the pieces together.

The second work filled what had been assembled with life.

...and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Ezekiel 37:10

God did the impossible and took what was scattered beyond human ability to restore, brought every piece into its proper relationship, formed one living whole being and then breathed His life into it and gave it purpose as "an exceeding great army."

Now we are careful not to remove Ezekiel's vision from its stated prophetic context. God tells Ezekiel plainly, "These bones are the whole house of Israel" and Israel has its appointed destiny. But the vision nevertheless reveals something about the way God works.

Ezekiel was living in a time when everything he saw in the natural was not good. Judah was excessively evil and Babylon was breathing down their necks. None of that caused God to change His mind as to His long term intentions with Israel. Nor will today's evil, nor the apparent scattered state of Christendom dissuade God from His already stated intended purposes.

"That they all may be one"

Thank God! Thank you Jesus! Halleluia Amen!

God is not intimidated by scattered things.

And perhaps that is something the Church desperately needs to remember. Lord you know - and that is all we need to know.

Ezekiel was an eye witness to mission impossible. Ezekiel was a witness to a gathering. Ezekiel was a witness to a Spirit infilling. Where are we now in the process? Lord you know. Was there another step that followed all Ezekiel saw?

Yep...

After the scattered bones become one living army, God gives Ezekiel the two sticks:

“Join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.” Ezekiel 37:17

Then:

“I will make them one nation...” v.22

Then:

“one king shall be king to them all...” v.22

Then:

“they all shall have one shepherd...” v.24

Then:

“I will make a covenant of peace with them...” v.26

And finally:

“My tabernacle also shall be with them...” v.27

This journey outlines this process: From hopelessly scattered to into God's presence forever. That process looks like this:

Scattered → Gathered → One Army→ One King → One Shepherd → Peace → God's presence.

The question now becomes - Does this pattern appear again when Christ begins building His Church?

Is humanity scattered - no question.

Is God still gathering? Absolutely yes.

What needs to be noted is when Jesus left this earth and gave birth to the Church on the day of Pentecost the Church had the presence of God, the peace of God, One King with one chain of command, a unified body of believers and they knew who the enemies were. Today it is just a matter of getting behind what has already been established.

The presence of God:

...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people... There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts 5:12,16

Peace:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

It should be noted peace is not the absence of conflict but rather an inner serenity that comes from knowing victory comes from God.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

One Shepherd:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14

One King:

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. John 12:15

...until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 1 Timothy 6:14-15

The chain of command:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12

The enemies:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29

"After my departing" and so it was. The flock came under other shepherds who did not spare the flock and here we are today.

If God knew it was coming then it is safe to say God's work continues regardless. His promises remain, the way to enter the Kingdom remains - the path to become hid in Christ still remains. All this remains unchanged - One King → One Shepherd → Peace → God's presence.

John 17 — “that they all may be one.” is still the trumpet sound that calls His own into His presence. Now we only wait for the bones to hear and obey.

For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Psalms 47:2-5

All the wolves accomplished was scatter the sheep and fracture the unity. Regardless God will subdue and put all things under our feet. To that end the word does contain the blueprint. If we consider the following portions of scripture:

1 Corinthians 12 — many members, one body, animated by one Spirit.

Ephesians 4 — “one body... one Spirit... one Lord... one faith... one baptism...”

Ephesians 4:16 — “fitly joined together and compacted.”

1 Peter 2:5 — “lively stones... built up a spiritual house.”

Ephesians 2:22 — “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Then we need to realize these portions are the structure and order - the blueprint exists and the bones exist. Christendom holds some twenty five percent or so of the worlds population and yes that exists as a loose collection of adherents. There may be faithful adherence to a certain creed or dogma but given the great number of creeds and dogmas there is precious little adherence to each other.

Now given the New Testament makes mention that the body of Christ is one and we are the many members nearly two dozen times throughout its pages, again repetition makes it easy to know what is on God's mind. Unity is a core value that one God holds as paramount to hold together the one body He calls His Church.

Why?

While many may strive to come to a negotiated agreement and forge a unity in a common set of doctrines. When we look at Eph 4:2-6 below the emphasis is that there is One Spirit, One Lord, One God who is the one source for all that exists. We don't become one body because we all agree with each other. We are called to live as one body because we all belong to that One God.

It is reverence to our One God that requires us "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The One Father of all is Head of one house and in simplest terms He doesn't want His children squabbling. It doesn't need to be more complicated than this. If you love God you will love your brethren.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1Corinthians 12:25

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:2-6

The Day of Pentecost saw the Church born as one body with over three thousand souls brought in that first day. The testimony the Church had was this:

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers... And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47

Unity was created by the power of God on the first day. Afterwards when Paul wrote to the Ephesians he used the words "endeavoring to keep the unity." Paul didn't say create unity or force unity - he used the word "keep" to indicated that we should guard what God built. Very much like Adam was told to "keep" the garden that God planted. In both cases God created something and in both cases the responsibility to "keep" falls on the believer to preserve.

Both 1 Cor 12:5 and Ephesians 4:2-6 place the work of "keeping" on the members by "having the same care for one another" and "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love."

Why does the "endeavoring" of the members to care for one another have an overriding importance? Well... Keeping unity is the capstone of the arch. It's the one element whose entire purpose is the keep the whole structure erect.

This is the whole structure:

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all"

That statement is in words and is the equivalent of this more pictural statement:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

"There is one body" - "An (singular) holy temple in the Lord"

"One Spirit" - "Through the Spirit"

"Called in one hope" - We are "fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God."

"One Lord" - "Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone"

"One faith" - "Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets"

"One baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" - "Builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Paul is not changing subjects between Ephesians 2 and Ephesians 4. In chapter 2 he describes the building; in chapter 4 he describes the unity necessary for that building to function.

And again all of that is the equivalent of this:

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:2-3

Which all is in alignment with Jesus' prayer:

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:21-23

Endeavoring for unity is keeping what God has created AS God created it. It is not an agreement hammered out in committee. It is members loving each other as God has commanded. And in that partnership and obedience God dwells in all fullness. And in that unified Church is the army with a mission - "That the world may believe" - "That the world may know".

"That the world may know"

That army was alive in Acts:

And they, (the members of the church) continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and (they the members) having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts 5:14-16

It is this pattern right here of a unified body of believers guided by the Apostles, the Spirit and powerful manifestations of the presence of God that overran the entire Roman empire bringing the Gospel to every corner of the known world.

"That the world may believe"

Well... The whole world heard the Gospel. But believing? That's another issue. In part because of the coming of the forewarned false prophets and wolves. And part because one by one the Apostles passed off the scene. Then as it is written - when the shepherds are struck, the sheep scatter. And here we are.

What I find encouraging is first that God has always been faithful to His purposes and He does not leave Himself without a witness. He preserved His word and gave humanity the written record we call our Bible. Beyond that I find it encouraging that there are many who seek and search for deeper relationship with God. If you want a Bible they are almost universally available and if you want to know truth - it is being found. And this finding is amongst ordinary persons - grassroots if you will. Opening a Bible and comparing the scriptures to what has been widely accepted institutional norms gives us that - wait? - what? God's leading works through careful study - and God's leading always leads to Himself. And here we are again - back in the hands of that One Father of all.

There is another fascinating aspect of unity. We discussed the corporate unity of the Body that is indivisible because God is indivisible as outlined in Ephesians 4:2-6 telling us of "the unity of the Spirit". But Paul doesn't stop there and later in verse thirteen he writes:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

So there is a unity that exists because God is one and indivisible and there is a unity that we each are growing towards. So then I have to ask the question - Am I, you, or anyone you know, "a perfect man"? living up to the standard "of the stature and fullness of Christ"? Or very simply is anyone really like Jesus in all He was and did?

Unity of the Spirit is God created and something we are told to "keep" as is.

The unity of Ephesians 4:13 is of "faith", "knowledge" and a maturity of ourselves that we all need to grow into. What should be noted and permanently engraved into your psyche is the destination of faith, knowledge and maturity is "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ". And again we see God is bringing you unto Himself. Like God told Abraham - "I am your exceeding and great reward."

This is where humanity was in the Garden and this is where humanity will be

in the end - "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."

That vision of God - that purpose - that hope is what we all as individuals are called to protect and keep and grow into. Continuing to delve into what Paul wrote in Ephesians we find there is good reason that we are called to keep unity and grow into the maturity and fulness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Maturity and growth into the fulness of Christ makes us:

..."no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine"..

The wolves and false prophets find no more ignorant persons to scatter and devour because knowing the will and work of God is to bring us all into unity with Him we then becoming indivisible. That unity compacts us and God together.

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth"...

Remember the work of God - God is building a habitation through the Spirit. Peter calls us "lively stones."

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house...

Us "lively stones" as Paul says are "fitly joined together" - being connected and put in place.

Fitly Joined Together

The English words “fitly joined together” come from the Greek word "sunarmologeō". It is a compound word that carries much more meaning than simply placing two things next to each other.

The word brings together three ideas:

"Sun" means: with, together, or in union with.

"Harmos" refers to: a joining, joint, or point of connection. It carries the idea of parts being connected where they properly belong.

"Logeō", related to legō, contributes the idea of: selecting, gathering, or arranging.

Put these thoughts together and sunarmologeō describes different parts being carefully selected, properly arranged, and joined together at their appropriate points of connection so that they form one complete and unified whole. That unified whole is the indivisible Body of Christ - the Habitation of God through the Spirit.

This is much stronger than simply being together, being gathered or being assembled in one place.

A pile of stones is together, but it is not fitly joined together. A pile contains all the individual pieces, but there is no relationship between them. Each stone remains independent of the others.

A building is different.

In a building, each stone has a place. Each piece relates to the pieces around it. One supports another. Each joint matters. The individual pieces have been arranged according to a larger design that none of the individual pieces could produce by itself. That is Paul's picture:

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:21

And again:

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth...” Ephesians 4:16

So fitly joined together does not mean merely gathered into the same place. It means brought into a God-ordered relationship where every individual part occupies its proper place, connects with the other parts, supplies what it has been given, and contributes to the growth and function of the whole.

The emphasis is not merely proximity, but placement, connection, relationship, and purpose. God is not simply gathering scattered pieces. He is building something with them. In the case of the Church we are what God is building with. And as if "fitly joined together" was not a strong enough word Paul then uses the word "compacted"

“Compacted” — symbibazō emphasizes the bond that holds those properly fitted parts together. They aren't merely assembled; they are knit together into a functioning whole. Paul is describing the work of God in building His Church as far more than just assembling - He is creating a living institution through which His life flows.

And notice where the entire process begins:

“From whom…”

The whom is Christ.

So Paul isn't describing organizational unity: Get everybody into the same room and call them the Church. He is describing something organic and living. Christ is the Head, the members are properly positioned in relation to one another, the joints bind and supply, and life passes through the whole body.

In fact, Colossians gives us another revealing use of symbibazō: "compacted":

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love…” Colossians 2:2

“Knit together” there is the same Greek word translated “compacted” in Ephesians 4:16. That makes Paul's ending in Ephesians particularly significant:

“…unto the edifying of itself in love.”

So I might express the distinction this way:

"Fitly joined together" describes how the members are placed; "compacted" describes how the members are held together - and that is by the love we have for one another.

God does not merely gather scattered pieces. He puts each piece where it belongs, joins it to the pieces around it, and then binds the whole together in love until the many individual members function as one living body - all being the eternal habitation of God.

So now when we consider Ezekiel 37 again - the pattern there defined the work of God in re-building the house of Israel. Scattered bones - bone to his bone - sinews binding them together - one body - breath entering the body - a living army.

Paul's language in Ephesians and elsewhere now defines the spiritual work of God in building His Church. You "who were dead in tresspasses and sins" "are made nigh by the blood of Christ" "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Ezekiel's pattern ends here:

Ezekiel 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The New Testament Church finds fulfillment here:

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

So whether a scattered Israel or a divided Christendom or a dead in sin people - the impossibilities are not an impediment simply because God is faithful to His work.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 46:9-10

Have faith in God!

He will do whatever necessary to accomplish His will. In partnership to that will - our responsibility is:

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:2-6

What that looks like in real time

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:2-7

In very real - in very "That the world may believe" - one with God relevance humility takes the highest seat. That humility leads us to self-emptying, service and putting others ahead of yourself. This is what Christ did and in spite of owning no earthly goods - blessings flowed out from him without measure.

And of his fulness have all we received... John 1:16

If we are talking about having the same mind as Christ - we are talking about a mind that operates out of all the fulness of all the riches that flow from God. This Christ did. This the Apostles did. This the early Church did.

The wolves and whatever else took that away. Between God and wolves - who wins?

Yes, doctrines matter and teachings matter and the word of God matters. The Bible forms the foundation that is eternal and immovable. But the Bible teaches us to build upon the foundation with our lifestyle and actions. And of all actions by all of the above that I have laid out demonstrates that unity in the bond of love matters most.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:14

To that end Paul gives us the strongest demonstration of a mindset that practices "keeping" unity in Romans chapter 14. In that chapter Paul is speaking to believers that have a genuine "scriptural" disagreements.

Some don't eat because thus saith the Word. Others do eat.

Some keep special days holy as it is written. Others do not.

Some regard certain things as unclean. Others consider all things clean.

Did Paul set either group down and set them straight? He did, but not by saying either group was wrong. Actually what Paul said was this:

...Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:5

He does not say either group is wrong nor does he say either group is right. He does not tell either group 'stop what you are doing'. This is a completely different operational mindset. How can you not take sides? How can you not correct actions that are contrary to what was written?

At the time there was a Jewish Messiah who preached the Gospel to the Jewish nation who followed the Law which God had given. Original believers were devout Torah keeping Jews. Then God opened the door to include the Gentile world to the same Gospel message. So now there are both Jewish believers coming from a Torah tradition and Gentile believers coming from pagan traditions. Polar opposites brought into one body.

Understanding how Paul dealt with polar opposites coming into one body lays a foundation that needs careful study because it at least partially answers the question - How does God build the one house using the diversity we encounter in humanity?

In the Ezekiel narrative the task was to put two sticks together - Israel and Judah and reunite them as one nation. For the Church that task multiplies into uniting the many multiple cultures and nations of the world. Does God accomplish exactly that? You bet He does.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Revelation 5:9

And what does God do with these peoples of the whole world?

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:10

And in what scenario do we find this gathering of all peoples of the world?

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13

They are honoring the One who has all power sitting on the throne. They are honoring the One capable of creating "A" Kingdom of kings and priests.

They are honoring His position, authority and abilities.

And that is the unifying factor behind making "every nation" "one in us" "that the world might believe".

This is the foundation Paul and the other Apostles were standing on when that door opened to add the Gentile world to the Jewish world.

Paul said:

....for God hath received him. (the gentile believer) Romans 14:3

Peter said:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:35

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:47

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Acts 11:17

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9

The Jerusalem council said:

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Acts 15:15-17

So all that became the basis and foundation for gentile Church. So what we see is a people - Torah compliant Jewish people who at one time would not so much as step one foot inside a gentile home. Who are now submitting themselves to the position, authority and abilities of God. Just the same as depicted in Revelations 5.

Now what the Jerusalem council also did was make very clear that pagan idolatry, fornication, and other pagan and ungodly behaviors were forbidden and contrary to an acceptable service to God.

Nevertheless Judaizers - groups of Jews who insisted on gentiles converting to Judaism and a strict obedience to Moses before they would accept them as saved - remained as a strong influence. It is to these groups that Paul devotes much of his writings to correct.

The exact identities and backgrounds of the groups in Romans 14 are debated, but the disputes clearly involved practices concerning food and the esteeming of particular days. Whatever their backgrounds, Paul does not treat these differences as grounds for rejecting believers whom God has received.

Torah came from God and Paul says the law is good. But He didn't take that side. The side he took was of "the Lord, who doeth all these things."

What he did in Romans 14 was point both groups to a higher standard - God's acceptance.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:3-4

All of us are received by God and only God is able to make us stand. I like Paul's positive insertion "Yea, he shall be holden up" pointing to God's ability to make impossibilities possible. This is God's work - making dead men live - both Jew and Gentile. Paul accepted God's acceptance of both Jew and Gentile and Paul was not going to take sides. He was determined to "keep" the unity.

This is an actually incredible testimony coming from Paul. Paul himself at one time was a Pharisee who personally allowed zero deviation from the law of Moses. He actively hunted down, arrested and threw men and women into prison for what he believed was a deviation to follow Jesus. (Acts 8:1-3) He was also present at the martyrdom of Stephen consenting for his death. Paul's own testimony was that he:

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13

But he obtained mercy when he encountered a great light from heaven. He was knocked of the horse he was riding and questioned the voice he was hearing "Who are thou Lord?" Who was that great light speaking to him? You have to love it to know the answer forever changed his life. "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Hmm... I could very easily imagine Paul had an Uh Oh moment - thinking I am in trouble now. But he obtained mercy.

That forever changed Paul's tune. The man who was determined to be injurious and eradicate any deviations was now determined to serve the position, authority and abilities of the Lord who knocked him off his high horse. He accepted the Lord who accepted him in spite of being injurious to the Church and for that not only deviations but Gentiles to boot became the recipients of the same mercy and acceptance.

We keep the unity not because we are perfect, not because we are right, not because our group is in agreement, but only because God is one - He has accepted all - He does not condemn - and only He can make us stand. We keep the unity because God has received both believers in Paul's example, despite their differing convictions, and He commands each to receive the other.

Next chapter:

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7

“That the world may believe...”
“That the world may know...”

When the world sees people that are supposed to be at odds with one another actually caring for one another instead - that is when the invisible God become visible to them. Distancing yourself from 'those' people is natural. Unity and love are unnatural or in the case of the Church - supernatural.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

Eliminate the distance - Embrace the acceptance - Let the whole world know The King is in residence here.

Conviction Without Condemnation

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:4-5

Romans 14:5 is about disputable matters, not a license to treat every doctrine as optional. And this is where conviction without condemnation needs a boundary. Romans 14 works because Paul distinguishes between conduct that Scripture plainly treats as sinful and matters over which believers may hold differing convictions.

Growing into maturity the mature believer isn't merely asking:

“Am I allowed to do this?”

He's asking:

“What will this do to my brother?”

That's a different mindset and a considerable step up from law written as external regulation. Under an external legal system, the natural question is:

“What am I prohibited from doing?”

Under life in the Spirit, the question increasingly becomes:

“What does love require me to do?”

That is actually a higher, not lower, standard. And that helps explain Romans 14. Paul isn't saying: “Sin is subjective. Whatever seems right to you is right.” Absolutely not.

There are things Paul simply condemns as contrary to godly living - sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, theft, covetousness, hatred, lying, etc.

He doesn't say: “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind about permitting ungodliness.” But when the thing itself isn't contrary to Christ, conscience enters. That's why Romans 14 can simultaneously say:

“I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself...” v.14

and:

“to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

In one sentence Paul identifies two convictions but Paul knows what he believes.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17

He doesn't surrender his conviction. But he refuses to turn his conviction into condemnation of his brother. Why? Because Paul goes back to the authority of the throne and that throne has accepted "every creature" that has accepted that authority.

Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor Him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose--to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God. '" Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. Romans 14:6-12 NLT

If we live - If we enjoy all the abundant blessings of God - with thankgiving to God - God receives that as worship.

If we die - and live sacrificial lives denying ourselves, not eating certain foods and keeping certain ordinances - that too God accepts as worship.

Two convictions - One Lord - who accepts and does not condemn.

"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer?" v. 10

And then:

“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” — v.22

God wants you happy in your "persuasion" as long as it is not sin - but the caveat is not offending your brother.

You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God... Romans 14:22 NLT

And...

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. Romans 14:12 NLT

Accountability is never off the table so keep your "convictions" aligned with wanting to please God which includes:

So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:13 NLT

So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat... Romans 14:19-20

Building Each Other Up And Aligning with the Work of God

What does a gathering of believers who have partnered with the work of God and are working with all the fulness of His presence look like?

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place... if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25

Just for clarification prophecy is a gift of the Spirit but it is not limited to foretelling and the such like. Paul tells us “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 So prophecy is Spirit-enabled speech directed toward people that builds, exhorts, and comforts.

But the greater point is the fully functioning body that has been "fitly framed" operating according to the Spirit of God should have unbelievers reporting "God is in you of a truth".

Prophesy — Speak That the Body May Be Built

There is another aspect of God's building process that is easy to overlook. When Ezekiel stood before a valley filled with scattered dry bones, God did not tell him to physically put the bones together. He told him to prophesy.

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Ezekiel 37:4

Ezekiel obeyed, and something happened.

So I prophesied as I was commanded... and the bones came together, bone to his bone. Ezekiel 37:7

The Hebrew word translated “prophesy” does not fundamentally mean predicting the future. It means to speak as a prophet, to speak forth what has been received from God. Ezekiel was given the Word of God and commanded to speak that Word to what was dead and scattered. The result was not merely information being communicated. God used His spoken Word in the process of bringing the scattered pieces together.

This connection becomes even more interesting when we remember something Moses said many centuries earlier:

...would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! Numbers 11:29

Moses had just witnessed the Spirit of God resting upon the elders and “they prophesied.” His desire was that the Spirit would rest upon all God's people and that all God's people would prophesy.

Centuries later Joel gave that desire the form of a promise:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... Joel 2:28

Then on the Day of Pentecost Peter stood before the people and announced:

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel... I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... Acts 2:16-17

What Moses desired, Joel foretold. What Joel foretold, Peter declared had begun.

And when Paul later writes concerning the functioning of the Church, prophecy remains an important part of the Spirit's work among the members. This was mentioned but I just want to keep the thought reinforced.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3

Notice Paul's emphasis. Prophecy is directed toward edification which means something is built up

...he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4

And again:

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1 Corinthians 14:31

There is an interesting thread running through all of these passages:

Moses desired that all God's people would prophesy. Joel promised that sons and daughters would prophesy when the Spirit was poured out. Pentecost announced the arrival of that Spirit-filled people.

Paul encouraged the Church to desire prophecy because prophecy edifies — builds up — the Church.

This does not mean every believer occupies the particular ministry of a prophet. Paul himself distinguishes the various ministries and gifts. But it does demonstrate something important about the Body God is building: God does not intend His people to be lifeless stones sitting silently beside one another. Every member has something to supply.

That brings us right back to Ephesians:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16

The joint is the connection between one member and another - if every member was actively "building up" this becomes the "effectual working" that gives increase to the body. Paul is not placing the responsibility of building up and increasing the Church on Pastors and staff. Paul is clearly placing that responsibility on the ordinary members and this is why Paul encourages believers to seek the best gifts which includes prophecy.

Prophecy is directed toward edification which means something is built up. If we go back and draw from Ezekiel's prophesying we saw that the whole house of Israel was reconstituted or re-built.

The connection should not be pushed so far that we make Ezekiel's prophecy and Paul's instructions identical. Ezekiel was a prophet speaking a specific Word of the LORD concerning Israel. Paul is describing the operation of spiritual gifts within the Church. But the divine pattern is remarkably consistent.

God speaks. His people receive. His people speak what God has given. Others are edified. Scattered pieces are brought into relationship. The Body is built. The Spirit gives life. And Paul places one indispensable boundary around the entire process:

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:15

“Speaking the truth in love” is not identical to the spiritual gift of prophecy, but both serve the same larger purpose: the building and maturing of God's people under Christ the Head. Prophecy edifies the Church; truth spoken in love causes us to grow up into Christ; every joint supplies; and the whole Body builds itself up in love.

This also helps explain why Paul places his great chapter on love directly between his teaching concerning spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and their operation in 1 Corinthians 14. Prophecy without love misses the very purpose for which the gift was given:

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge... and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

The gift may come from God, but love determines how that gift serves the Body. And when the Body functions this way, something extraordinary happens. Paul describes an unbeliever entering the assembly while the members are prophesying:

...and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 1 Corinthians 14:25

There is the purpose of the building again. We began this study with:

...builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22

And here an outsider enters the functioning assembly and essentially recognizes the habitation: “God is in you of a truth.” They come to believe.

That brings us directly back to the prayer of Jesus:

That they all may be one... that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21

The Word does not merely give individual believers something to know. The Spirit does not merely give individual believers something to experience. The gifts do not merely give individual believers something to exercise. Believing means - God is building something.

The Word gives the order.
The Spirit gives the life.
The members supply one another.
Love binds the members together.
The Body is edified.
Christ is revealed.
And the world is given something it can see and say:

“God is in you of a truth.”

And perhaps now we can return to where we began. The crystal was always present in the solution, but it was hidden from sight until the conditions caused what was invisible to take visible form. The Church is presently “hid with Christ in God,” scattered throughout this world in ways our natural eyes cannot fully identify. But God knows every piece. He knows where every bone belongs. He knows where every lively stone fits. His Word is still speaking, His Spirit is still giving life, and His love is still binding together what He has called His own. The work is not finished simply because we cannot yet see the finished work. One day that which is hidden will be revealed. Until then our calling is not to build another pile of stones, but to yield ourselves to the Builder, supply what He has given us to supply, receive those whom He has received, and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Then perhaps the world will see through His people what cannot otherwise be seen and confess, “God is in you of a truth.”