Dear brothers and sisters,
I implore us to seek unity with one another, just as John encouraged us to do through his letters to the early church. Let us not be pulled apart by disagreements that lead to hate and division. Can we show the world what it looks like to disagree with love? Can we show what it looks like to have differences but be united because we have something so incredible connecting us that we can’t be pulled apart?
We all have this one major, amazing, life changing thing in common, not only with each other in the church but with those outside the church. We are loved by God, who provides and cares for us so deeply. Within the church we recognize the need we have for God, not only for salvation but for true and abiding hope, for unshakable peace and unspeakable joy. We know as a church family that the only reason we can stand before a loving, perfect, Holy God is because Christ stands besides us and reminds God that we have been pardoned because of His sacrifice. We know we have been paid for not because of our actions but because of Christ’s.
Do we want to be a melodic song, together creating beautiful harmony? Or are we content to be a loud, abrasive racket? Do we want to sing out love or screech out hateful discord?
Let us have unity. Let us seek it with each other, let us seek understanding, compassion, grace and mercy with one another. Let us seek love and care and compassion with those outside the church, we are not at risk of less love if they are invited in.
Perhaps it’s as though we’ve become jealous siblings. Not wanting to give our brothers and sisters a chance to steal love from a finite parent. But God’s love is infinite. In giving it out, to those we may deem unworthy, we do not lose love we would have otherwise kept for ourselves. Let us reach out with the infinite love of God flowing from our hearts, and embracing those who are rejected, lost, alone, hurt. We need to embrace those who have been deemed “unworthy”, not only by the world but by the church. Let us be defined by our abounding love, graciousness and gentleness. Let us be spurred on in love for one another.
Your sister in Christ.
Wow - you'll never guess what part of our CBS Bible study was about this past week!! Unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16). We also looked at 1 Corinthians 12 where it talks about one Body and the many unique and different parts - all functioning together! I just love the visual that it presents.
ReplyDeleteIt's always so interesting when God brings the same topic (unity - this week) to the forefront through different platforms. It's been a good reminder for me... thanks!
Angela! I also love it when that happens! So cool that God was bringing the same topic to the forefront for you too! :) thanks for sharing!
DeleteBeautifully written and a compelling reminder of how important this is!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment! I'm grateful for you and all you do in our community at Grace.
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