We Are One

In John 17, our King prayed that “we may be one.” Jesus wanted for the body of Christ to be bound and knit together by love. While others are bound together by work relationships, convenience, proximity and other factors—God himself is to be our binding agent. He is the rock on which our faith is built.  Still, these are divisive times. Many of us have been made to struggle in news ways, we’ve been forced to confront demons we forgot we had or didn’t know we had, we have new questions, doubts and fears. We are uncertain. We are tired. We are frustrated. There’s no doubt—but, we will stand together, because that’s how Christ would have it. We will work through this “temporary light affliction,” remembering the things that bring us together.

" I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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."
Ephesians 4.1-7

One Body. The church that Christ gave his life for. The church that we belong to. The pillar and ground of the truth. We belong together in the household of God. We are a family, standing together through all of this—knit together by God Himself.

One Spirit. One Comforter given to the disciples of Christ that brings the “peace that passes all understanding.” The Revealer of the Word, the Regenerator and the lifeblood of New Testament Christians. The Spirit is guiding us and teaching us through the suffering.

One Hope. Heaven waits for us. One day we’ll all see Jesus with unveiled face and open arms. Our hope is not here on earth.

One Call. A call that came to us when we were in darkness and did not have God, when we were pulled from the abyss and given new life. We aren’t chained to this world anymore.

One Lord. Jesus our Savior and deliverer, our true King. The Lion and the Lamb. He is closer than a brother for us. He is with us through all the questions. We can’t forget that.

One Faith. The system of faith that teaches us about patience, trust, mercy, love, and the sovereign reign of our God in the person of Christ.

One God. The Father who has already planned our deliverance. Let’s praise Him today and every day and cast aside our doubts and misgivings. This is our Father’s world.

These are the things that make us One. Let’s hold each other up, encourage each other, be patient with each other and give a little extra grace as we all move through the muck and mire together. May God bless you.