Christian Unity

A passage of scripture that jumped out at me this week is a passage in Romans (7:4-6), where Paul is talking about how Christ has set us free from the Law (Jewish Torah). Paul says in verse 4 that this freedom from the Law joins us together with Christ and to fellow believers. This is a perfect picture of unity between Christians and Christ. We are all joined as one - God sees Jesus in us. This "joining together" is inseparable and shows us how endless God's love is. Verse 4 also tells us the whole purpose of us being joined together.... "that we might bear fruit to God", not out of compulsion but with a glad and joyful heart (V.6 "so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter")

Romans 7:4-6 (New American Standard Bible)

4Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

6But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.


February 7th 2009. As I continued reading through Romans this week, I wanted to add a little bit to this blog. I think the issue of Christian Unity is often overlooked because we are very selfish in nature and if we are to be unified a certain amount (or a great deal) of selflessness is required. If you think about it, the reason we can have unity in the first place is because Christ died for us - a pretty selfless act if you ask me.

Romans 12: 5: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (NASB).

Paul draws this picture of a body and how we all have different functions but that we all have to work together, otherwise the body will not be able to achieve what it was designed to do.

Romans 14:7-9: 7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living (NASB).

This passage perfectly describes our oneness in Christ and how inseparable we are from him once we belong to him. Nothing can take away that bond once we place our trust in Him.

I want to conclude with this passage: Romans 15:5-7: 5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God (NASB).

The End!

MT HB 191

This is an email I wrote to Driscoll and the Helena Police Department:

Miss Driscoll,

My name is Robert Fleming. I do not live in Montana but my in-laws live there and my family and I visit regularly. We love the state; my wife lived in Billings and went to high school there. The reason I am writing to you is because of the proposed "pitbull legislation" that you are trying to put into effect. We have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that we always bring with us to Montana. I know that you have grouped several breeds into what you call a "pitbull" and that you obviously do not care whether a dog is aggressive or not but if it has the physical caracteristics of a "pitbull", you want them euthanized: "House Bill 191 would ban Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, American bulldogs as well as "any dog that has been registered at any time as a pit bull terrier or has the physical characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established for the breeds listed in this subsection by the American kennel club or the united kennel club." This could potentially include Boxers (they can have square heads), English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs etc. There is no way this law can be enforced without causing absolute uproar.

I am challenging you find one case of a purebred Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacking another human in this country. I do not believe you will find much information. I am not a US citizen but am in the process of becoming naturalized. I live here because I believe in the freedoms of this country and laws like the one you are proposing completely goes against what this country stands for. I am a physical therapist and I work in an outpatient setting. I work with people of various ages (from kids to people in their late 90s) and I often bring my dog to work with me because the patients love him and they always do a lot better when he is there. As you know, according to the AKC, "the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the modern dog draws its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. This, coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog."

If this law is signed, it would cost the state millions in law suites because innocent dog owners would be forced to give up a member of their family. I have heard from fellow Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners in Montana who are outraged about this law and will do anything to protect their families. You will just turn law-abiding citizens into people who hate the government and will do anything to keep their families together. Please consider what you are doing and the potential consequences. You will be forcing police officers to do your dirty work and I do not believe there is one "pitbull" owner who will not defend their dogs to the death.

The Netherlands tried to enforce "pitbull legislation" for many years, but recently decided to scrap it because it did not reduce the number of dog bites. http://www.expatica .com/nl/ news/local_news/ Dutch- Agriculture- Minister- scraps- pit-bull-ban. html

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions.

Robert Fleming