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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Tag: Unity

Remain In Me.

September 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.” –1 John 2:24.

In his first Epistle, John the Apostle admonishes us four times within four verses to “remain” both faithful and in fellowship with Christ Jesus, and he adds our doing this is a sure sign of our love and obedience to God and His Word. “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.” –1John 2:3-5.

Perhaps, as John was writing this portion of his Epistle, he was reflecting on earlier times.

Those days when he and his brothers spent drinking in every Word that fell from Jesus’ lips as they walked, talked, worked, ministered, debated with, and questioned Him so as to know and learn everything Jesus had to teach them. I pose this question because, upon reflection, the heart of John’s words in his Epistles concerning remaining connected to Christ—obeying Him, abiding in Him, could easily be interchanged with those spoken directly to him by Jesus in his Gospel. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” –John 15:5;8.

At their core, each verse points to how crucial staying connected to Christ truly is.

This cardinal precept of “remaining,” of spiritual intimacy with God, was a point Jesus emphasized the importance of repeatedly with His friends—and through them, to us. This precept of abiding is repeated throughout the Gospels—particularly in John’s.

Yet how? How do we “remain” faithful to what we’ve been taught from the beginning when nearly every day we hear of some new theory, new doctrine, some new “Word from the Lord” splashed across YouTube or social media, from the pulpit or whispered in our ear from a “well-meaning” yet albeit naïve believer. How do we “abide” in Christ when we’re being pulled this way or that by family members who demand, we choose between being with them or following after “this Jesus of yours.” When that addiction we thought was long behind us, the habit that had all but destroyed us, seems to be calling to us. A vague yet familiar siren song emanating up from our memory.

When your marriage is in crisis and, no matter of counseling, prayer, or late-night raging at the pain of disappointment and betrayal seems to heal it. How? When your wayward child is drifting further and further away, duped by a culture filling their heads with lies and confusion. When that stinging church hurt, or the betrayal of a life-long friend threatens to grow roots of bitterness in your heart. When the boss says that you must work on Sunday or participate in some office practice, that goes against your faith and principles, or it’s your job.

Thankfully, as believers, the answer to these questions isn’t complicated.

The process of our overcoming may be muddy and challenging, but the answer itself is straightforward. “…remain in my love.” –John 15:9. Jesus assures us, the solace and strength we need to overcome any trial is not only readily available to us, but found only in Him.

Equally, a prolific seed of Truth is found inside this simple verse: our unequivocal need for absolute Oneness with God. “Without me, you see, you can’t do anything. –John 15:5.

Sounds simplistic, I know. Maybe even trite to some.

However, absolute Oneness with God is what our relationship with Jesus must be built upon for us to flourish—to overcome and thrive spiritually.

We must have a resolute, watertight bond with our God. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” –Matthew 7:24-25.

And yet beloved, when we’re the ones facing the mountain before us, the death, terrifying diagnosis, betrayal, break-up, or loss, this simple Truth of abiding in Jesus, clinging to Him, placing a measure of faith we didn’t even know we possessed in Him, can feel not only daunting, but down-right impossible for some of us to swallow. And yet, swallow we must. Staying connected to Truth—to Jesus, we must.

Our feelings will fail us, so will our hearts, courage, and minds—our friends, too, as well intended as they may be. In times of trials, only Jesus can help us. Save, heal, deliver, strengthen, enable, make a way through or restore us.

Only Jesus.

Actually, this is true every day. For most of us, unfortunately, we only become aware of this when the winds and waves are threatening to take us out.

Each verse in today’s teaching is intended to harken us back to Jesus. To Remind us we can do nothing apart from Him—not even those things we so readily take for granted, like drawing our next breath.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly states that He came not to exercise His own will but to do the will of the Father who sent Him. To say what He’d heard the Father say only. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does…” –John 5: 19-20.

At the core of all Jesus did was an ever-present determination to obey God and His Word to the utmost, even unto His death on the Cross.

It was this burning love for the Father, this fixed determination that was such a part of who Jesus is that nothing and no one could lure Him away from oneness with the Father. This absolute oneness caused and enabled Jesus to do what the “fully man” in Him momentarily stumbled over. “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” –Mark 14:35-36.

We would do well to imatate Jesus by remaining in, trusting in, the love of the Father for His children.

Beloved, you have a Great High Priest who knows how hard it is for you right now. He not only sees you but that all but unbearable weight of pain you’re carrying—He’s been there. It’s why, in part, He sent me to remind you to stay connected to Him—your True and Only Source of Strength. Abide in Him. Trusting that the strength, healing, rescue, answers, or freedom you need—have been praying for— is found only in Jesus—that He has you.

Your trial, the “hour” that has come upon you, is safe in God’s Hands.

No matter what things look like, regardless of how dark it may get, trust God, beloved, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.” –John 10: 28-30.

Friend, Jesus made connecting with Him simple. Here’s how: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10. I encourage you to call out to Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, become one with Him—abide in Him.

Parousia. Luke 12:35-38.

May 30, 2020 /
“Be ready for action, and have your lamps burning. Be like servants waiting to open the door at their master’s knock when he returns from a wedding. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will change his clothes, make them sit down at the table, and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the middle of the night or toward morning and finds them awake.”

The Greek word Parousia (παρουσία) means “presence” or “arrival”. It is used as a technical term to refer to the return of Christ in glory at the end of this world. –Jesse Cragwall.

Words such as union, fusion, and symbiosis hint at the ineffable oneness with Jesus that the apostle Paul experienced: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). No human word is even remotely adequate to convey the mysterious and furious longing of Jesus for you and me to live in His smile and hang on His words. But union comes close, very close; it is a word pregnant with a reality that surpasses understanding, the only reality worth yearning for with love and patience, the only reality before which we should stay very quiet. CEASE STRIVING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. (PS. 46:10 NASB) ― Brennan Manning.

Just last night I sat staring out of my window. The trees, dark, shadowy figures pressed up against an even darker night. I was calling out to You. “Abba, I’m here”. My face pushed against my window screen (I just wanted to get as close to you as I could) my heart full of longing. My words meant only for Your ears. I poured my heart out, and up to You—like Samuel’s mother did—with yearning. My lips barely moving. Lord, I long for this time with You. These few precious moments when I am not doing anything—nor am I asking you to. When I am not seeking after some-thing. Not asking that you provide this or that or answer this prayer or that one from earlier today. Neither am I bringing my questions—nor my concerns. Rather, I am simply just drinking-in this time of the day when I can just be alone with you. That is it. Just me and you alone in this sacred space. This dent in the screen my forehead made while pressing against it. Pressing into this moment. This deep longing to just be with You. And so, I sit here. Face pressed to the screen, talking to you. The night breeze carrying my every Word to your ears. You smile just to hear them. I can feel Your happiness in my belly. You testifying to Your nearness, Your promise. “…And lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age”. –Matthew 28:20. So, for the moment, I sit here. But not idly my Love. You gave me instructions to follow in your absence. The beginning of that same promise You left me, my charge. “teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you…” –Matthew 28:20. There is much work to do. I must be about Your business while I await Your return…

Even now, remembering that moment, the feeling of longing, of wanting to be where you are—with you. Equally aware too, that the barrier of this flesh of mine—the temporariness of this tent I am sitting in, prohibits that. Being wholly where You are, I mean. At least for a time. Your timing, not mine… 

Yes, new friend, I am offering you a glimpse of the letter I’ve just written my Lover, my God, my Beginning—and my End. Yes, I have unashamedly invited you into this, our private conversation. An exchange that happens between those who are intimate—or those who genuinely want to be. And not just physically intimate—though we are. We are so much more. We are spiritually One. One, even as He and the Father are One. My God and I. Mind-blowing, right? Him knowing the very number of every hair on my head. Him knowing my words before I speak them, my thoughts before I think them. His Word tells me that it was His hands that knit me together in my mother’s womb. He chose to have this intimacy with me even before the foundation of the world. Before He stood over the dark void and said, “Let there be” and there was. While He was yet covering Adam and Eve in the bloody skins of animals sacrificed to clothe them, His thoughts were on me. Were on the Blood of the One that would one day shed that Blood so that He and I might have this intimacy. Ours is so much more than just a physical knowing. And on my end, He has placed Himself in me. His Holy Spirit alive in me. My Teacher and Counselor and Guide. My guarantee of the future I will have with Him, soon and very soon. As He is, so too will I be. His Peace left as a gift for me now. His strength too. And His ways, should I allow them to overtake me, mine too.

This new lesson of Oneness offered me when I was invited to come into my Love’s presence. Only when, as Esther can testify, the King extended His royal scepter in my direction. To, “come up here”. Up to His Throne room. To sit with Him for even a moment, in heavenly places. And because I was made certain of our love, was I bold enough to share my heart with Him. My deep longing for Him—with Him. “When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king” –Esther 8:4. There is nothing outside this window now that thrills me nearly as much as His presence does.  I choose then, daily, minute by minute often—to die to myself—that I might live with Him and in Him, more and more every day.

And so, as the servant in our Scripture sits, nose pressed to the glass, alert, watchful, waiting for their Master to return from His time away at the wedding feast. I too am waiting for my Lord. The Lover of my soul. Just as the father of the prodigal went out daily and stood to gaze out over the plains. Anticipating that at any moment he would catch a glimpse of his son there, just over that next crest returning home. I too look with longing at this night sky—hope-filled—that I might catch some glimpse of my God. Maybe in the song of the crickets or the verses the wind whistles as it passes through the trees? Will I catch some glimpse of His sweeping Kingly robe in that bold orange and violent pink of the sunset colors? Or perhaps it will be in the blinding gold of the setting sun? His Crown just might be made visible there, If I am watchful…

Remember, Jesus told us to always be ready. Always be on the lookout for His coming. To always be prepared. Wicks trimmed and lamps lit. Having more than enough oil. Staying alert and watchful. Storing up our treasure in places where the moths of this world cannot get it. Where thieves cannot break in and rob what we have been given. These days, I find myself at this window far more than I used to be—just looking up. Waiting. Expecting. Longing to see the face of my Beloved. It’s as if, from somewhere way over there, I can almost hear His footsteps nearing. And I am up and at the door! His promise now fulfilled. That when He returns, He will do again what He did before. Put on His apron and serve—me this time…

Brothers and sisters allow me to encourage you as you wait through this fourth and final watch of the night. I know your eyes are tired. I know the night has been long. I know it seems as though our Master will never return. I know many are whispering in your ear. Urging you to throw in the towel. Taunting you perhaps? Asking, “where is your God?” Remember the Truth now, weary one. What we know about our God. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it” –Numbers 23:19? Jesus promised that He would only be gone for a moment. He was going to prepare a place for us so that it would be ready when He returns to bring us home. Hold tight, fellow servants. He will be back any second now…

And you, new friend. You have read a part of my letter, read the rest of what is written here, too. Now you know that this same Jesus who came to earth as a man some two-thousand years ago is due back at any moment. It is not too late to get ready for His arrival. Won’t you keep watch with me too? Ask Him into your heart now, while there’s still time. “Of course, you realize that if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let him break into his house. Be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him”. –Luke 12:39-40.

Beyond Liberty… Romans 14:23.

July 8, 2018 /

 “But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].”

They will know us by our fruit. Aka—how we live, speak, act—react, and how we love, our choices. We can say we’re a Christian all day long—but they will know us—believe us, trust us, follow us as we follow Christ—by our fruit, our example. Not by our lip service…

In Chapter 14 of Romans, Paul the Apostle addresses what we as Christians can do—our liberties. What we can eat, drink, watch, take part in, who we can become “besties” with, where we can hang out. Those choices which, when made, well, actually, before we make them, reflect our maturity—our understanding or its lacking…

Choices made that describe both the weak brother—and the strong…

Today however, we won’t be focusing on the definition of clean and unclean found in Leviticus—in the law handed down from Moses. Paul has covered that far better than I could ever hope to. Nor will I be recapping the many commentaries written concerning the turbulent era of a newly born Church. A Church born from the belly of the familiar rites and rituals, from the infancy of the Mosaic era into this brand-new, unfamiliar, “adulting in Christ.”

Of chasing after, desiring—trying to, failing, getting up and striving to—following Christ… (Galatians 5:2-4; Galatians 2:21; Romans 15:4).

Instead, we’ll be focusing on the berth described in vs. 23. “For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin.” Why? By addressing Christian liberties Paul forces us to look beyond those liberties he’s outlined, and into those recesses of ourselves we’d often rather ignore. It’s in this verse that Paul delineates the difference between what we can do as fellow believers, and what we cannot. We can eat meat. We cannot allow unrepentant sin of any kind to exist in our lives. If it is pricking our conscience, we must address it with God, turning from it. We can drink wine, we cannot lie, steal, cheat, nor commit adultery. We can’t smoke crack, sleep around, or continue to cover up our past dirty deeds like a dog covering his bone…

In verse 23, Paul has opened the door for this teaching of what we can and cannot do as Christians to reach beyond food and drink and into the realm of, “anything” that convicts us. Whether it’s an action that’s offensive to another brother, or some deeper hidden thing—some secret, or unconfessed sin. If it convicts us before God—it is sin and we must confess it, least it remains, and keeps us separated from God. And, in opening this Scripture up, Paul, whether intentionally or not, links it back to a conversation—a teaching concerning true freedom Jesus had shared with a crowd John calls ‘believing Jews (John 8:31-59; Romans 1:21).

Jesus however assures us in John 8:36 that if we are truly His, if we’re His child—if our faith and hope are in Him alone, we will be freed from the subjective truths of this world. “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.” Freed from the deceptive, so-called “truths” that permeate our society—that once permeated our own lives before we knew Christ.

Those voices of relative reason that argue—and once argued within us:  if it is true for me—then it is true…

Jesus however, assures us that if we are His we will hear His voice—the Voice of Truth—and we’ll hear it purely, above all the other contaminated voices clamoring for our attention—seeking to distract us—to devour us (John 10:27; Romans 12:2;1 Peter 5:8).

Yet this is a process for the Christian.

Not the Truth mind you—the Truth is instant, constant, clear, pure, never-changing, eternal…Numbers 23:19; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8.

Learning to hear it however—more, to recognize and trust it, that is part of the awe-inspiring journey of discovery that comes with following Christ. Of Growing and maturing in Him, as His child—in being His follower, His servant. Yet our same Paul encourages us that even in our mutual questing after Christ— we each will do it, experiencing Him, differently—following a different path that will eventually, inevitably—lead us to our solid, sure standing in Christ. Ending us exactly where it is He intended us to be—only in His way and in His divine timing for our lives.

Don’t get it twisted. I’m in no way saying that all roads lead to Rome—Rome here meaning God. There is only One way back to relationship with the Father and that is through His only begotten—Sinless Son, Jesus Christ! “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.

That clarified, neither does going our unique way imply that we are exempt from needing to cling to Him in times of uncertainty—of not adhering to the precepts He’s lovingly provided us —to guide us in our learning. Are we free to go our own way when His way is not always made immediately clear to us? Must we continue to keep ourselves pure and accountable by self-examination through prayer and supplications? Yes, and yes! We are accountable. And, because of our accountability—we must confess our sin when our conscience demands it. Our “different paths”, our uniqueness—are as singular as our relationships with Christ. As our relationships with each other—our children, friends, coworkers, and family members. God deals with each of us according to His knowledge of us—and His intended plan and call on our lives. Hence, we must be true to God and properly, reverently use the gifts, talents, provisions, and knowledge He has bestowed upon us. Trusting, that what He provides for  us is what we’ll need for our leg of the journey. And, we shouldn’t be envious of what another brother or sister has, “more” of.  Nor how he or she ministers, their style, or  what they’re able to discern that we, as yet, may not!

That is for God to judge, not us.

I’m speaking here concerning the parameters of our Christian liberties—not when we, or another brother or sister, might step over the line into sin. Even then however—it is not ours to judge. We’re called to confess, and to encourage our brothers and sisters to do the same, and be restored to God. True freedom—maturity in Christ comes, in part, from knowing Christ through a genuine conversation and a lasting, saving faith that is steeped in His Word. Through relational trust built over time we begin to follow Him into unfamiliar areas that stretch us. And, these all culminate in our works, our fruit. As we grow in God—He alone opens the eyes of our understanding and strengthens us to do all that He has called us to do in Him… “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called–his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance” (Ephesians 1:18).

I will leave you with the words of Paul. Words of wisdom and encouragement. Words that lead and guide us into a richer—deeper, a more freeing faith indeed! “Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words; this is in no way profitable, and leads its listeners to ruin. Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.…” 2 Timothy 14-15.

Friend, if you have yet to ask Jesus into your heart, your life,  to be your Lord and Savior, I believe He led you here today that you might stop right now and ask Him in. It only takes a moment, but eternally, it changes everything! He’s calling. Will you answer Him, “Yes Lord, I here you! Here I am…”

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9.

Inclusion. Mark 9:40

June 17, 2018 /

 “For he who is not against us is for us.”

To say this world is  divided is an understatement…

Truth be told—from the day Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden for believing the discordant lies of the enemy—division has become a thread the enemy has skillfully used to weave division and destruction both into God’s perfect design. We may blush at its mention, balk when its pointed out, close our eyes to its demoralizing tentacles—but the truth of it presence remains nonetheless.

Racial, religious, and political divide has become an almost daily byline…

Venomous, erosive poison sprinkled, with some version of truth, across the evening news—monopolizing many of our social media sites. The retellings, the hashtags and “shares” of our societal discord so often sensationalized. Too often used as fuel to garner ratings and hits as each commentator applies their own spin—their own agenda or bias, to whatever the malevolent story du jour may be.

As an aside, hear me please here for clarification sake: I do not, do not, I do not advocate racial divide nor discrimination in any of its loathsome, hate-filled, fear-full, divisive forms. Period. And, as for my politics, though I do have a party I favor, I prefer not to employ my political pining’s as a divisive sword wielded simply because wielding it is my right…

Sadly, these same divisions that have infected our world have also made their way into the hearts of those who call themselves “Christian”. Christians, belonging to One Body though we are many parts. However, being a follower of Christ in the 21st century Church has in some cases become akin to wearing a designer label. With some choosing denominational affiliations as badges of loyalty and honor. I belong to such and such a denomination. I follow Pastor so and so. And the list of I’s goes on and on…

Shouldn’t the only “I” we as Christians share—the only mutual affiliation we claim be unity, Oneness in Christ alone?

“I seek to do the will of my Father” being our unifying battle cry? Regrettably however, there are denominations and individuals both whom support such exclusions. Sadly, there have always been…

But not so with Jesus. Jesus didn’t teach exclusion due to denominationalism! He didn’t set-up divides, compartments within His Body, rather, He tore them down at the Cross. This is His prayer for all those that belong to Him: “For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.…” John 17:19-21.

So what is denominationalism? At its core, here is how it is mostly commonly defined: The division of one religion into separate groups, sects, schools of thought or denominations.

Jesus however, speaks of the power of His Blood to unite and cover, cleanse and purify—make Righteous for the whom-so-ever-will.  He speaks of unity and oneness. Even as He and God are One –John 17:21-23. Again, listen to His Word in Matthew 26:28: “…for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.” Sinless Blood poured out for every person who calls Jesus “Lord”. There was no pause—no clause that stated: “By this I mean—only if you call yourself a Baptist or Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, or a member of the World Assemblies of God, a Roman Catholic…

And, though Jesus was a Jew who did in fact minister first to the Jews—ultimately His death on the Cross instantly, and with fore-intention, opened the way for “who-so-ever-will” to enter right relationship with the One True God. That was always His plan. The moment He said, “It is finished”, and breathed His last, the curtain in the Temple was split open signifying that the way back to right relationship with God was now possible because of the sacrificial Blood of Jesus being shed once for all. Matthew 27:51.  We also see evidence of this Truth when reading the account of Peter and Cornelius. Read the full account in Acts 10. But for now, listen to verses 44-46: “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God…”

We are the ones whom withhold; you and I are guilty of judgement and diving the Body. We have set up these divides, these compartments that are not from God. Compartments that divide those God died to unite. We have set the tone for, decided, who will be accepted and who will not. Who we will worship with, and who we won’t. We disagree with, are uncomfortable with, the way certain denominations “do” worship or how they pray—therefore we judge or reject them as a result.

Yet, the moment we cause division in The Body—and there is only One Body, we too are displaying the same attitude of exclusiveness that the early church displayed in saying that those who were gentiles and followed the way needed first to become Jews, to be purified—they must first be circumcised before they could be included into the Way (Read Acts 15). If you don’t do it the way it’s always been done you aren’t welcomed to join us! Sound familiar? That isn’t what Jesus taught us. He said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” –Matthew 18:6

If you have ever experienced the unwelcoming icy chill of being ignored sadly, you’re qualified to empathize with those who have been rejected because of how they worship/pray/ proselytize their faith. For not being a member of the “right” denomination. Not donning the right label…

Perhaps you have felt such rejection? If so, let me apologize for whomever it was that made you feel marginalized—judged. I apologize for them because I too shamefully, have been guilty of such divisive judgements. Please, forgive us both?

We are one family with Christ as the Head of that family. Therefore, when one of our family members isn’t well—eventually it infects our whole Body. Being a multi-cultural Body–racially, economically, socially and intellectually diverse, how is it possible that amongst such diversity, such beauty, people will still cling to, still choose to gather only with “my kind of people?” Those I’m familiar and comfortable with?

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Galatia addressing a very similar issue. And nowhere in his words do we find even a hint of the unity he spoke of being ascribed to denominational affiliations. Rather, he speaks of our common faith in the One True God, in Jesus Christ, as the Source that unites us all. And not our memberships in the Baptist or Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, World Assemblies of God, or the Roman Catholic. Nor in any other Christian denomination or organization that acknowledges the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—as the One True God.

It is our faith in Christ Jesus alone that unites us! “For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]” –Galatians 3:26-28.

Christ’s Body was established for inclusion, not exclusion…

It is this inclusion that Christ speaks of in Mark 9:38-42. “John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.”

Perhaps you are reading this and have not asked God into your heart as Lord and Savior? Please know there is a place in our family reserved just for you. Won’t you take your place today? Jesus loves you. The rest of us need your presence! Just ask Him to come into your heart—to be your Lord. He’ll do the rest… “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” –Romans 10:9.

And to my Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ; there is room for us all at the feet of our Lord. Please, join me there as we pray for unity in the Body of Christ…

 

 

 

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