One body, one Spirit

Ephesians 4:4-7

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.

Diversity is a hot topic in secular society today.  Oddly, the topic of unity is largely ignored.  This very passage in Ephesians talks of how there is great diversity in the church, the body of Christ.  However, the foundation of our diversity is our unity.  We are, by God’s design, one body and are brought to life by one Spirit.

We were rescued from the most horrible kind of diversity.  What is that?  Diversity without unity leads to the isolation and brokenness of Sin.  God came to remove our separation from Him.  He did this when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  Through faith in Jesus, we are one with our heavenly Father.

Where we had nothing but futility and the grave in front of us, Jesus gave us the forgiveness of our sins, the resurrection from the dead and life everlasting.  He also shows us that in our connection to Him, we have connection to one another.  We all have a calling.  Each person’s calling is given according to God’s Will in keeping with the measure of Christ’s gift.  Each gift is given for the common good and serves to unite those who believe in the Lord Jesus.

Therefore, united in the one body of Christ, and made alive by the Holy Spirit we are blessed with the divine gift of unity.  One hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.  God grant us joy as we abide in Him through faith and grant us encouragement as we care for one another in His Love.

Let us Pray

I thank you Lord Jesus for calling me out my isolation in sin into the unity of your church.  Guard all your servants in faith so that they may experience your joy through unity in your church.  Help me to use the gift that you have given to me in a way that is pleasing to you. By your grace, may I be a blessing to my congregation.  In your name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.