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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Subject: Who constitutes the church? |
Bible Note: Hi, Val :: Dear heart, it never ceases to amaze how little it takes for some people to be offended! Like how, in your illustration, the woman in your group was offended by the use of the very words that the Lord Himself used in the model prayer with which he instructed His disciples on prayer. And you relate that she also expressed displeasure in your visiting the Church of the Nazarene. Well, now, isn't that just too bad? Who does this person think she is, the keeper of the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Is she privy to things about which we common mortals know nothing? Surely she must have inside information from the gates of heaven that even a single visit to a congregation of the Church of the Nazarene is enough to tarnish one's soul for life! It rankles me that such foolish self-righteous windbags set themselves up as lord and master over the spiritual welfare of others, without having a clue that they themselves are as blind as bats to their own shortcomings, adrift in a spiritual fog of their own making. ..... Regarding the praying of the so-called Lord's Prayer, Val, I do it myself. Hardly a night goes by that I don't pray this beautiful prayer as soon as my head hits the pillow, right before dropping off to sleep. And I do want to emphasize that I PRAY it, not merely SAY it. Yes, I pray other prayers during the day as well, but a better way I do not know than to knit up the cares of the day with this prayer that came from the lips of Jesus, my dear Savior and Lord. Blessings to you, Val. --Hank |