06 Jan Unity Part 4

John 17:20-26 – Unity

The Apostle Paul was passionate about the Lord Jesus and the Church. His desire to protect and mature the Church is very evident in his pastoral letters. Although the corrections that needed to be brought varied from church to church, the focus of love and unity were always a central message. Whether rebuking the Corinthians for their quarrels and sectarianism and appealing for them to be of one heart and mind, or teaching the Romans that they were one body and they belonged to each other (Romans 12:5), his desire was for Jesus Christ to be honoured.

Let us further consider Paul’s writings. In his letter to the Galatians he addresses issues of race and status, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) He also makes reference to these matters in Colossians and slightly broadens the target, “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all.” (3:11).

Let me digress a little here and address an issue that is still a problem in Christendom, the matter of national and cultural allegiance, or pride or identity.

Some years ago I visited my birth home and was doing the tourist thing, visiting historical places and buildings and reading the history. I bought some books and some souvenirs and was becoming quite interested in it all. As I was standing in a particular location famous for a great victory against the enemy, the Holy Spirit confronted me. He said, “You belong to the Kingdom of God, and are a citizen of heaven”. It was very clear to me that this was a rebuke, and I was not to cling to, or carry any sense of pride with regard to my nationality and culture.

This is somewhat of a difficult subject because we should love and be loyal to our country. But when we are born again, we become part of the family of God and our identity should be as Paul declared, we are sons of God. Paul describes it like this, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household”. (Ephesians 2:19)

This returns us to our topic, God only has one family, and access to that family is only through Christ Jesus, and if we are in Christ we are all one.

Are you in Christ?

Blessings, David.