​One Body

 Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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.
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In this time of political unrest and division within parties, I see a distinct reflection of the state the body of Christ portrays. We are so busy aligning ourselves with one denomination or another, we aren’t focusing on the true work that we are called to do. Verse 12 tells us that Jesus called us to works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we reach unity.
             
Matthew 3:24-25 tells us that a house divided cannot stand. If we ask the Lord to take from us the divisive spirit and the belief that one denomination is better than another, He is faithful to fulfill our request. He desires that we are unified in His love and His plan for us. He worked with the apostles for three years to bring them to unity. Even at the last supper, they were busy focusing on who was the greatest and who would serve the rest. After He had risen, they were so focused on serving their risen Savior, they forgot all about being the greatest and desired only to fulfill the great commission.
             
Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
             
Jesus is so in love with us, He gave His all for us. He desires us to keep our eyes fixed firmly on Him and His will for our lives. He desires for us to take our eyes off of the things around us and seek Him alone. We are prone to allow minor differences in the way we do things take from us the things we can learn from each other. Whether we have a choir or band or follow a strict liturgy, we forgot the true reason we come together to worship. We are there to glorify the Lord, not our method of doing things.

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