“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,so that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:20-21
On the first Lord's Day of each year, we of the O'Fallon Church of Christ choose a theme on which to concentrate for the next 12 months. This year, we have chosen the theme of "One." Inspired by John 17:20-21 and surrounding verses, our goal is unity in spirit, purpose, action and love with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and one another.
There are many reasons to pursue such a direction but one that weighs heavily on the mind is the state of the world today. It is no secret to anyone that Christian values are under an increasing amount of attack. More and more it seems that society wallows in wantonness, debauchery, sensuality and greed. Tragically, these things seem to be finding their way into the church more so than righteousness finding its way into society from the church.
Beloved, now as much as ever, it is important that those who call upon the name of Christ pursue unity. To do so, we must first understand that unity is not the same as uniformity, unanimity or unionization. In fact, it is the oneness of inner heart and essential purpose through the possession of a common interest or life. For the Christian, the inner heart is belief in and adherence to the truth of the gospel, and the life is the spiritual one available only in the Lord. Jesus said in John 17:23 that oneness yields perfection (completeness) in unity. This indicates that in order for us to achieve our purpose, we need each other and we need to be one. And what is that purpose? Jesus said in his prayer to God on our behalf, "...that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me," John 17:23-24.
There is much more to be said about believers being one. Let us walk together and pursue unity in all that we think, say and do.
One,
Lee
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Monday, January 13, 2014
Thursday, September 8, 2011
One With Another-9/8/2011
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Rom 12:15
As a Christian body, we are part of one another. We are affected and afflicted by those things which affect and afflict others in the body. As a Christian family, we are to sympathize with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing in their emotions under the best and worst circumstances. After all of the calamities that Job endured, his close friends sat with him and wept with him. Likewise, at the return of the prodigal son, his friends and family celebrated,
Beloved, sharing a common eternity begins with sharing a common Father and a common Savior, then a common life. The New Testament is replete with advisements of how we are to encourage, support, edify and bear each other's burdens. We are to be kind, to be at peace and to love one another fervently. It is only through developing strong spiritual and familial bonds that these things are possible. The fact is, we need each other to gain heaven. How can we love the Father whom we have not seen and not love His other children, our brothers and sisters whom we have?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
As a Christian body, we are part of one another. We are affected and afflicted by those things which affect and afflict others in the body. As a Christian family, we are to sympathize with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing in their emotions under the best and worst circumstances. After all of the calamities that Job endured, his close friends sat with him and wept with him. Likewise, at the return of the prodigal son, his friends and family celebrated,
Beloved, sharing a common eternity begins with sharing a common Father and a common Savior, then a common life. The New Testament is replete with advisements of how we are to encourage, support, edify and bear each other's burdens. We are to be kind, to be at peace and to love one another fervently. It is only through developing strong spiritual and familial bonds that these things are possible. The fact is, we need each other to gain heaven. How can we love the Father whom we have not seen and not love His other children, our brothers and sisters whom we have?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, February 28, 2011
A Divided House-DD 2/28/2011
"Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand." Matt 12:25
When the body's immune system malfunctions and begins to attack itself instead of invaders like viruses and bacteria, it is called an autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis are a few of the more well known examples of this malady. Nearly 15% of people are affected. In these cases, the body is clearly divided against itself.
The local body of Christ can be subject to such things as well. When members fail to find common ground, cease communicating and begin to work against one another, it has the effect of putting the family in mortal danger. It is an autoimmune disease. We are called by Christ to be on one accord. We must find ourselves, "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;" Eph 4:3-4
Beloved, we are not called to agree upon every single thing. There are many different ways to do things and many different individuals capable of doing them. As times change, we must sometimes change our methods without deviating from the essentials of the Christian faith. It is these essentials that are the ties that bind. We can disagree without being disagreeable, without separating and without destroying those who do not agree with us. Should we pursue a destructive course, which surely must originate from questionable motives, we ourselves may not stand.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
When the body's immune system malfunctions and begins to attack itself instead of invaders like viruses and bacteria, it is called an autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis are a few of the more well known examples of this malady. Nearly 15% of people are affected. In these cases, the body is clearly divided against itself.
The local body of Christ can be subject to such things as well. When members fail to find common ground, cease communicating and begin to work against one another, it has the effect of putting the family in mortal danger. It is an autoimmune disease. We are called by Christ to be on one accord. We must find ourselves, "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;" Eph 4:3-4
Beloved, we are not called to agree upon every single thing. There are many different ways to do things and many different individuals capable of doing them. As times change, we must sometimes change our methods without deviating from the essentials of the Christian faith. It is these essentials that are the ties that bind. We can disagree without being disagreeable, without separating and without destroying those who do not agree with us. Should we pursue a destructive course, which surely must originate from questionable motives, we ourselves may not stand.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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