April 10, 2018 - United in Christ, our Lord-
Why does each person have a longing in his soul, a longing for more than the world can offer, for more than the world can provide? For what do we seek?
We seek for the unity that comes only with living in the Lord Jesus, of being in the Body of Christ. The unity that comes by being one with the Lord and many others, each being a single part of the Body of Christ which is the church of the Living God on earth.
Paul gives us insight into this longing as he speaks to the Ephesians, exhorting the church to unity based on the truth of there being one God and Father of all and his work of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This unity was established by the Lord Jesus when he established the church in his name, we are only to accept him as Lord and to continue in unity with one another.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
“There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:1-7)
While Paul is speaking here to a group of first century Christians, the way was established by the Lord Jesus for all to follow.
One hope, that of eternal life and joy, lived with Christ in heaven. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3)
One Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God that the Father sent to indwell each of his children when the Lord Jesus ascended back to heaven. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name.” (John 14:26)
One Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. Cornerstone of the unified church, the body of Christ, irrespective of denominational differences, a voice for Christ around the world.
For as Jesus so said; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
One faith, the faith given us by the resurrection of the Lord, the faith of knowing that if forever faithful that we too will be raised in unison with him to be with him forever in heaven. “To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
One baptism, showing again the unity of becoming one with the Lord. “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
One God and Father of all, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God of all, our Heavenly Father and Creator of all things.
For all who walk with the Lord and reside in the Body of Christ, I rejoice as the angels rejoice in heaven with each soul that is saved.
For those who have not yet chosen to accept the Lord, I issue this prayer and hope of redemption to come.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)
