We Are One

This morning just as I was waking up, I heard the Lord say a simple phrase, "I am one!"  I knew immediately what He was talking about, that in this world there is only One Body of Christ!  There may be different names and different beliefs about certain things, but we are all part of His Body, His One Body.

I was reminded of Paul's writings concerning this and thought it would be good to reflect on these verses again, during this time of strife, protest, division, anger, sorrow, pain and disagreements.  Here is Paul's famous analogy from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV:

[12] "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 

[15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 

[21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 

[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

The verse that hit me hardest this morning is verse 26, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it."  As I look around at our world, at all the noise and pain, at all the  opinions and judgments flying, I see a suffering Body of Christ!  The Lord is intimately aware of our situation and He is calling me, at least, to pray and act like we are one.  In the eyes of the Lord we are all His Body, whether colored or white, whether denominational or non-denominational, whether conservative or liberal, whether Catholic or Protestant, whether Eastern Rite or Western Rite, we are all part of His One Body, and if one part is suffering, we are all affected.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the wounded and hurting state of our Body.  For many of us, we are allowing our opinions to actually cause more strife and pain, by striking at other parts of the Body!  Oh Lord, let us learn to love one another, to embrace our belonging to Your Body.  Let us act as one Body, coming alongside those who are hurting, and helping them to heal!  Whether they are suffering from racial injustice, the rages of Covid-19, or impacted economically from the recent world-wide quarantine, let us come alongside one another in love, mercy and grace.  As I wrote that list bit I was reminded of some additional verses concerning living as members of Christ's Body from Paul's letter to the Romans 12:3-21 NIV:

[3] "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 

[9] Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. [20] On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

[21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Yes Lord, help us overcome this present evil with good!  Let us rise up as Your Body, here on earth, and let us love, and devote ourselves to one another!  Let us mourn with those who mourn!  Let us embrace one another, and care for one another.  Let us recognize our need for one another, and our connectedness with one another.

Finally, let us reach out to our hurting world, and let us embrace them with the Love of Jesus Christ!  Let us show them His love and compassion!  Let us become the church militant, a church that wages war against this present evil with love, goodness and prayer!   

May the Lord protect you with His peace, bless You with His favor, and empower you to love through the Holy Spirit!

Sam