The Need For Christian Unity

-


Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Devotion:

            Paul, in today’s scripture is calling for the church at Ephesus to remain united in the cause of Christ. In Revelation 2:1-7 we read the Apostle John’s description of what it’s victories and challenges were. As Paul addressed them here it was clear that the greatest enemy of the church did not come from outside its walls. Both apostles called for the church members to love one another more fervently and to bond together against the forces outside the church that would pull them apart.

            These words could be written to the church in the U. S. A. in the 21st century. Sure, we have problems with those outside the church who would do us harm. However, we have as that beloved comic strip character Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy and it is us!” While it is true that we have many, many denominations and church splits happen routinely. The cure for this problem is that we need to be more loving toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are not united in love for one another, we will be more easily defeated by our enemies outside our gates.

            With the pandemic in our rearview mirror, major challenges lie ahead for the church. We have all suffered from a tragic loss of membership, both by death from the pandemic and by attrition. Rebuilding the church will be a marathon not a sprint. We as Christian churches must not waste time squabbling over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. As Paul says, “we must walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called.” Christ seeks his followers to be united in the “bonds of peace.”

            If we can come together at this crucial time, there will be a great harvest of souls for the kingdom. Polls are reporting record low approval ratings not only for the church, but the media, government (all 3 branches), even doctors, teachers, and scientists are underwater in recent polling. The churches witness depends on our response to the needs of a public that is hurting from betrayal by institutions it used to trust. I remain hopeful that the church can respond to the need for a stable source of truth that people can depend on. A faith that is real and active where the world is hurting most.

Prayer:

            Lord, heal our world. Signs of soul sickness can be seen everywhere in our world today. Give us a heart of compassion to help our neighbor in need. Help us to see with your eyes Lord those who are hurting but do not show signs of weakness. Give us a heart of discernment to meet needs where they exist. Above all, help us love and support each other in the effort to rebuild the world. Thank you for your promise to be with us always. Help us to rely on that promise daily. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapter seven as an aid to interpreting the events that occurred last Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. On that da
Read more

Father Forgive Them

-
  Scripture: Luke 23:33-34 (ESV) 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Devotion:             The situation Jesus finds himself in here in today’s scripture is difficult for us to even imagine. A sham trial, no credible accusations of any kind, let alone any deserving of death, and yet here he is. A brilliant Rabbi, a teacher of the people who never led even one person astray from God’s will. This Holy One of God soon to be food for vultures.             This man who had done nothing wrong had no one in all the crowds who would speak up in his defense lest they be next to face the cross. An innocent man hung between two scoundrels. No voice from heaven declaring that this was the man that they were killing was actually the true Son of God. (See Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, John 12:28) No the heaven
Read more

Transgenderism letter

-
  This is a copy of my letter to my senators, representative, and President Biden. January 15, 2024 Dear President Biden, Senators T. Duckworth, R. Durbin, and Representative D. LaHood             I am writing to you because I am concerned about the situation affecting our children and grandchildren, namely transitioning them from one gender to another. This nation must adjust course concerning these “interventions” because they are dangerous, irreversible, and life-changing. Our country should not be permitting these procedures on minor children under any circumstances. We must also make sure that adults who seek this care are given informed consent as to the risks versus benefits of sex reassignment treatments.             There are many drawbacks to gender-affirming care for minors. Besides the loss of any ability to give or receive sexual pleasure and sterility these treatments cause, there are social and psychological effects that we have no way of identifying because these
Read more