One In Christ

Reading from Galatians 3:23-29 KJV for the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost. Christ did not discriminate when he died so that all who would believe in him would be one in him. Nor, should we discriminate against others.

Jesus Prayed That We May Be One

John 17:20-26 KJV

One In Christ

Valaam Transfiguration Monastery

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:12-26 KJV)

Let all the people applaud the choir!  I have not been able to find anything in scripture that remotely tells us that we should clap our hands for anyone other than God during a worship service.  I have never understood lifting up gifts of specific individuals within a worship service for in lifting up one we neglect the others. I have never understood putting plaques on the wall in thanksgiving to the biggest givers. There is no one and there are no gifts within the Body of Christ that are more important than another.

Within the congregation the janitor is just as important as the council member. That should apply not only just within the congregation but for the world around us.  Worship is indeed enhanced by the choir - at least in most cases. What would it be like if we walked into the sanctuary and had to walk on old bulletins and candy papers; with empty coffee cups leaning up against the back of the pews? 

The pastor is not more important than the council nor the council more important than the pastor. All, every member of the Body of Christ, are needed to function properly and in unity, for the Word of God to be declared and glorified. 

We are many members. Yet, we are all one in Christ. Let us worship and serve as one that God may be glorified and not any one or group of human beings. To God alone belongs all glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Together

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

                                                                                                      (Eph 1:5-10 KJV)

God's purpose: to unite us with him and one another through Jesus the Christ. Unfortunately, the world and the devil would see us separated from one another and have us turn our backs on God.  It's too much to attend worship and hear the word of God with those hypocrites! It's too much to share the peace with one another! We might get sick. 

What is sick is being separated from God and one another. That is not God's purpose for humankind. Thankfully a goodly part of the world is getting back together to love and serve one another; to love and  to serve God together.

It is the good will of God that we be reconciled to him and to one another. God help us to gather together in unity and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God In All

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

                                                                                       (Eph 4:1-6 KJV)

There is only one God and Father of all. He is above all, through all, and in us all. Worship him and with all humility. Serve him and one another in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Promise; Our Inheritance

 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

                                                                            (Eph 1:7-14 KJV)

Forgiven and redeemed by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus the Christ; for what? According to St. Paul is it so that we might be gathered together as one in Christ and not just we but all things in heaven on earth. The inheritance; the purpose, is that we might be reconciled to one another; that we might be reconciled to God.

Thanks be to God through Jesus the Christ we have been redeemed to live united in peace. That is the promise. Although that promise has not yet fully come. Our hope is that in the dispensation of the fulness of time we will fully realize that unity; that peace. That hope gives us the ability to endure all things even today.

God grant us the hope to believe the promise of unity in Christ and to live as though that promise has already been fulfilled.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Are One

Valaam Monastery, Russian Karelia

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

                                                                                        (Eph 4:1-6 KJV)

It does not matter where you live geographically; if we live within the Body of Christ, we are members of the same body. We are not separate; but, one in Christ.

Very many years ago, I visited Russian Karelia on a mission trip. I found the region to be very much like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I lived at the time. I also found the people to be very much like the people that lived around me. They were struggling with very much the same issues; except that their poverty level was much greater than ours at the time.

It saddens me that as countries and their leaders battle for political supremacy it seems that we often forget about the people in these foreign countries. It is as if foreign countries are inanimate objects; without flesh and blood or the Spirit. We sometimes seem to forget the many faithful brothers and sisters that live throughout the world. The Body of Christ is beyond comprehension. The members are spread throughout the world. They are in: Syria; Russia; Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Africa; India... They are everywhere; and, yes, even here in the United States. There is only One Body. So let us not forget in our prayers the many members of that body who suffer persecution. As we form our personal political agendas; let love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as for all people, guide our hearts, minds, and our actions.

Jesus died so that all who would believe; might have eternal life in His Kingdom. As Christians, may God help us to remember "all lives" that live in every country and kingdom even here on earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Unity Cannot Be Legislated

 

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 

                                                                                    (Acts 4:31-33 KJV)

Everyone being with one heart and of one soul! Imagine that! How can that be possible? 

It is fallacy to think that we can legislate peace. Dictatorships do not bring about harmony among the people. Ordering people to think and act of one accord will only  bring about opposition and dissension. 

Our God is not a dictator. Yes, he gave us rules to follow. But, he also gave us the freedom to choose whether we do or not. He gave us the freedom to serve Him or reject Him. Dictators do not give the people that choice.

The early followers of Jesus were of one mind not because of any legislation. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit. They were cleansed by the blood of Christ and became new men and women in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit empowered them to live together with one heart and one soul with a desire to share the word of God with boldness so that others also might know the great grace bestowed upon us through the life and death and resurrection of  Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:"

                                                                                               (2 Cor 3:2-4)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love In Deed And Truth

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18 KJV)

I have witnessed a lot of not so loving actions over the past year.  It amazes me that so many profess that we have to have more unity and love; that if we love we will strive for justice for all people. When in fact they speak of love; but, their actions show otherwise. 

Riots that included damage to personal property of others and attacks on others do not in anyway show love of neighbor nor does it show justice. Calls for unity while verbally attacking people who do not agree with one's principals or lack of principals. Verbal attacks can very well be deeds as they are attacks against the spirit. Physically or verbally attacking those who will not compromise their beliefs by encouraging harmful and or sinful behavior is not in any way a show of love. It does do much harm.

We can talk about unity, peace, justice, and love 'till the cows come home. Yet, if out of one side of the mouth we speak of these things and out of the other side comes hatred and false accusations we are only deceiving ourselves when we claim that we love. But, we are not and cannot deceive God regarding the state of our hearts. Until we actually start acting in love toward one another it is just fruitless talk and often harmful speech. 

Jesus showed his love and mercy for us by dying on the cross for us. May God help us to love one another not just with words but in deed and truth. And, may God help us to not compromise the truth. Only when we live in the truth will there be any real semblance of peace and love. We need to quit justifying our sinful behavior by trying to put the blame on others. 

A word of wisdom regarding mercy and truth from Proverbs: 

"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." 

                                                                                    (Prov 16:5-7)

A man's way pleases the Lord when he shows love by acting upon both mercy and truth.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Truth Is?

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

                                                                                       (John 8:31-32 KJV)

What is truth? Seems like in the world today it is acceptable to have many versions of the truth. But, can there really be many versions? 

I had a few rough moments when I was going through seminary. One particular professor wanted me gone. I had dared to debate him publicly over something he said. He professed that there could be two completely opposing interpretations of scripture and both interpretations be perfectly valid. I disagreed. I viewed this as sacrificing truth for unity. 

The truth should never be sacrificed. Whether it has to do with spiritual truth or truth that pertains to the world it should never be sacrificed for then we will function according to the lies that we perpetuate. We will be in bondage to these lies. When it is then distortion of the truth; out right lies becomes accepted as truth. When we hear calls for unity we must ask ourselves if these calls to unity require us to accept as truth what is not the truth? Are we willing to accept lies for the sake of unity? Are we willing to live our lives miserable and drowning in the lies that we have been told and accept for the sake of unity?

St. Paul suggested otherwise. It does our neighbor no good to speak lies to him or her. Deception will not bring us together. Only the truth can unite us. If we are to be one, we ought to be truthful. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." (Eph 4:25)

Neither freedom nor unity come from lies. Half truths and gross exaggerations are lies. Lies only lead to more bondage; bondage to the lies themselves and to the ones who taught us the lies and who we believed. 

Know the highest and best truth of all. Know that Jesus the Christ is the truth who lived and died and lives for you. He is the only truth that can truly set you free!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

New Creatures Are Reconciled

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

                                                                                  (2 Cor 5:17-21 KJV)

Reconciliation seems to be the last thing on most of our politicians minds. They really seem to like attacking one another. One would think they have better things to do. As they call for unity, they stir up division. The devil must be enjoying himself immensely.

For God our Father calls us to unity. He calls us to be reconciled to Himself and to one another. He desires it so much that He sent His only begotten Son, who knew no sin to be sin for us. Our sin was crucified on his cross. Yet, it seems like we really want our sin to be resurrected as we continue to live in sin. 

Have the old things really passed away? If not, we have the opportunity to start anew every single minute of every single day. We have the opportunity to repent; to change our ways. 

If we are new creatures in Christ then let us be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming the Kingdom of God purchased for all people through his blood. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One Body

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

                                                                             (Eph 4:4-7, 11-13 KJV)

We may be many; yet, we are all one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. 

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth. If there is any growth it is very slow. That is because some of the members of the body of Christ aren't working.

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gifts For The Glory Of God

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"   

                                                                       (Eph 4:1-8,11-13)

We are all called to serve, according to the vocation that we have been called. If you wonder what that would be for you; how you can serve, then look at your gifts. What gifts has God given you so that you might serve and His children most fruitfully? Consider your talents closely and how they can be used to build up the body of Christ. Do not think so highly of yourself thinking that you can do it all because no one person has all of the gifts necessary. 

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.." 

                                                                                      (Rom 12:4-7 KJV)

God gives to each of us gifts to support and build up on another; to build up the whole body of Christ. When they are used this way these gifts glorify God. We are all members of the one body in Christ. There is a purpose for the gifts that we have been given and it is not to glorify one member of that body; but, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith..."

As members of the body of Christ, may all that we say and think and do glorify our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Blood Family

It is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
   that shame has covered my face.

I have become a stranger to my kindred,   

   an alien to my mother’s children.
It is zeal for your house that has consumed me;
   the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

                                            (Psalm 69:7-9 NRSV)

The belief that family unity is a priority no matter what can devastate individuals. When adult members of a family find themselves at odds, it can send the Christian members of the family into feelings of guilt and depression. After all; are we not to love one another? How loving is it when we cannot live in unity with our genetic brothers and sisters? So they try everything they can to please the other members of the family, including not standing up for what is right. They will even provide false alibis for those who have committed criminal offenses. Even most Christians will focus on pleasing man rather than God for the sake of blood family members. They believe that it is a part of the mandate to love one another. Watching, without any intervening, someone who is destroying themselves and others around them is not loving.

St. Paul wrote: "Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10)

It is difficult when someone is put in the position of having to choose between doing what is right and what will keep your birth family tolerating you and your faith. I often hear stories of families who have a very difficult time even being in the same room together. In fact, I know very few families that do not suffer this division. Many times the differences that cause these breaks in relationships have to do with varying lifestyles; with varying degrees of faith or lack of faith. Christians can normally live in peace with those who have very different lifestyles than themselves. They can and will continue to love and have empathy for those they see going off on a path that will lead them to destruction. However, it becomes most difficult when the Christian is ostracized and persecuted because they will not join their family members or friends on a path other than the one that Jesus leads them on. 

When working with young men in juvenile correctional facility, they would often express their desire to return home to their families. Some of the parent(s) of those teen-age boys had introduced their sons to substance abuse. Some had their sons selling drugs on the street for them. Some beat them unmercifully for minor offenses. 

As a foster parent for teen-age boys, I heard their pleas to be returned to their parents no matter how awful their lives had been. They were convinced that their parents would somehow have figured out, in the absence of their children, that they would now start loving them and caring for them instead of neglecting and abusing them. I don't recall one case of that actually happening.

When working with these children who were fast becoming adults, I would often remind them that the blood that is thicker than blood is the blood of Christ that was shed for them. 

It can be devastating for a child or an adult not to be firmly connected with their birth families. To live with people who choose a lifestyle that persecutes those who would follow in "the way" that is more peaceful and productive is difficult. There are times when the persecuted must distance themselves for their own sakes and for the sakes of the ones they love. It does no one any good to close your eyes and shut your lips to the injustices that occur in the family or the community. Never doing or saying anything about injustices is not a solution.

It is better to speak the truth than ignore the destruction that is happening around you for the sake of peace with the one who is going down and leading others down the wrong path. Speaking the truth may indeed win you more persecutions.  But, correcting others in love may also help them turn around and go in the way that they should go.

Standing up for the truth; standing up for Jesus, will not win a lot of accolades in many families. It is not even always accepted within the visible church. But; if we do not, we contribute to the downfall of the community; we contribute to the downfall of the visible church on earth. 

Persecutions will come by standing up for Jesus. They will come even from family whom we love. When your family persecutes and even disowns you; lift up your head and remembers that there is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. 

I pray that this does not sound to convoluted to you. It is my attempt to remind you that no matter what the world around you thinks of you, the world was not pleased with the prophets nor was it happy with Jesus. No matter who persecutes you; whether it is firth family or friends, you are a beloved child of our Heavenly Father. You have family in Christ! You get to live life as a child of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Election Day Peace

How very good and pleasant it is

    when kindred live together in unity!
                                    (Psalm 133:1 NRSV)

Today is election day. I am pretty sure that there will be very few, if any, who are completely pleased with the election results. When all of the ballots are in, I pray that we can accept the voice of the people who have taken the time to vote. We do have a voice in who our elected officials will be. It is expressed on election day. It can also be expressed through opinion throughout every day. However; let us do this respectfully; without bullying; without threatening; without trampling on the rights of others.  As the author of the Psalms reminds us "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"

Even though we may not like (not even one iota) everyone who will be elected to public office today, according to scripture we are to give them honor and respect. Yes, we can and should speak our minds about their policies, we have the freedom to do that. But, we should do it out of love for one another so that we might live in the bonds of peace. 

In the first letter of  Peter to the Christians in Asia Minor, he reminds that that: "As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:16-17)  He advised them to honor and respect those in authority; but, as Christians we must put God even above those whom he has placed in authority. When the two conflict; go in the way that the Lord has shown you. That way is Jesus Christ. 

We are to follow in the footsteps of the who went to the cross to bring unity to all who believe in him; to reconcile us to God and to one another. "The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23) 

Jesus was not in the habit of physically attacking people just because he did not agree with them. Rather, than threaten to kill anyone who disagreed with him, he went to his death instead. He freely died so that others might live. He did not send his followers out to threaten anyone. He sent them out with the Good News of the Kingdom of God; a Kingdom where all God's children would live in peace and harmony.

So, this election day and in the coming years; let us live in unity, respecting the voice of the people; honoring those who are elected to office whether we agree with them or not. Do continue to speak out against injustice; but, do so with justice in mind and not hateful revenge because you didn't get what you wanted. Hateful revenge is not justice. Physically attacking or threatening to attack your neighbor because they don't agree with you will not bring about any peace or unity. The bullying must stop. 

We may be unhappy with some of the results today; but, for the sake of the Body of Christ; let us be kind; listening to one another; honoring those whom God has put authority over us; that we might live in peaceful unity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Patience

"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph 4:1-3

There are times when my patience really wants to fly out the window. It can be a struggle to be patient with those who continue to make the same mistakes over and over again and wonder why they are having such a hard time in life.

A friend of mine once warned me that I should be very careful what I asked God for because He answers our prayers and we may not like the way in which He answers them. She was warning me against asking God to give me patience. She had asked for patience in caring for her family and He had answered. He helped her to learn to be patient by refining. As things grew even more troubled in her family, she learned to be patient with others even as she continued to care for and love them. She also learned to trust God in all things.

My friend has gone through a lot of trials. Yet, she is patient and kind and has an uncanny gift for maintaining unity in the bond of peace.

May we all bear one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Patience

"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph 4:1-3


Here is Paul, in prison, begging the Ephesians to lead lives with humility, gentleness, and patience bearing with one another in love. Paul met his imprisonment not just with patience; but with joy that the Lord had opened many doors in that prison so that he could proclaim the Good News to those who would not otherwise hear.


Some of the things that we lose patience with are pretty trivial compared to the troubles others suffer in the world. It would be best to ignore these minor obstacles and just move on past or over them. Don't let them interfere with what God has called you to do. Some of these minor inconveniences can make big breaks in our relationship with God and with one another when we allow them to. Rather, we ought to take advantage of what might seem to be a hindrance; because, it just might be a door opening for you. Those hindrance just might be a blessing rather than a curse. Live life!


May God help us to wait patiently, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


God's Peace - Pr. J

For Christ Or Anti-Christ?

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Matt 12:30 NIV)

A friend of mine had hung a poster in her classroom at a juvenile correction facility that read: "If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Jesus said if you are not with him then you are against him. Logic would tell us that if we are not with Jesus then we are the anti-Christ. 

Those who are with him; those who abide in him and he in them actually gather people into the Body of Christ. They are the fishers of men that Jesus promised to make of those who would follow him. (Matt 4:19) So, what about those who are in the habit of attempting (and sometimes succeed) to scatter those who would follow Jesus; of dividing them; or separating them from one another and from the whole Body of Christ? Are they not those who are against Jesus?

Jesus made the statement regarding being with or against him after healing a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute.
     All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
     But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
     Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?"           (Matt 12:23-26)

Indeed, every city or household, every visible church on earth divided against itself is going to have a very rough time standing, if it can. Eventually, if we continue to choose to be against Christ; if we choose to continue to divide and scatter; families, churches, communities, entire kingdoms will fall.

Consider then if you are with Christ or against him. Are you gathering or dividing and scattering?

May we always abide in Christ and he in us that as servants of the most high God we might be part of the solution and not part of the problem. May God use us as instruments of his gathering so that all people might abide in the peace and unity that comes with knowing and being for Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus, Remember Me!

"We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
                                                                                                                       (Luke 23:41-43 NIV)

The criminal on the cross was about to be executed alongside Jesus. He knew enough to confess his sins. He made his death-bed confession. He also believed, even knew, who Jesus truly was. This criminal had enough sense to confess his sins and ask Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus answered his plea with an affirmative. Today, today you will be with me in paradise.

Jesus has come into his kingdom. It is not something that going to happen at a later date. He lives and reigns now. Why is it that humankind has such a hard time recognizing this? Jesus is King. Why is it that humankind, even Christians, have such a hard time recognizing that their egos are preventing them from confessing their sins; from receiving forgiveness; from entering into the Kingdom of God, even today? Is it lack of faith? Or, maybe it really is overinflated egos that prevent us from believing that their is someone greater than ourselves; one that can save us; one that can bring us peace?

I don't have the answers as to why one would rather lift up themselves and deny Christ and not enter into the paradise; the Kingdom, that Jesus has prepared for all who believe in him.

One criminal refused to repent and derided Jesus as they both hung there. The other confessed and turned his eyes toward Jesus that he might live, even though within hours he would die. Egos must die in order for us to live.

May God help us to live life in unity in His Kingdom, even today.

God's Peace - Pr. J

One Body

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (Eph 4:12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth. If there is any growth, is slow. 

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J