body of Christ

Jun

2024

United in Love

Have you ever felt divided from other Christians, even though you share the same faith?

Disagreements, theological differences, and personal clashes can create walls within the church. But what if Jesus himself offered a powerful message of unity for his followers?

John 17:9 holds a beautiful truth about God’s desire for his people. Let’s look into this verse and see how it can inspire greater unity among Christians.

The Heart of Jesus’ Prayer

John 17 is known as Jesus’ “high priestly prayer.” Here, Jesus prays to God the Father on the night before his crucifixion. In verse 9, his prayer takes a specific focus.

“I pray not only for these; but also for those who believe in Me through their word.”
John 17:9

At first glance, this might seem like Jesus praying just for his disciples. But look closer; Jesus isn’t praying for a select few; he’s praying for “those who believe in Me through their word.”

This encompasses all who will come to faith in him throughout history, including you and me!

Unity Beyond Walls

Jesus’ prayer transcends divisions and denominations. He prays for the unity of all believers, regardless of background or tradition. Why is this unity so important?

Reflecting God’s Love: When Christians are united in love, it reflects the unity and love within the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It showcases the beauty of our faith to the world.

Strength in Numbers: A united church is a powerful force for good. Working together, Christians can make a greater impact on the world through acts of service and spreading the message of Christ.

Overcoming Division: Unity doesn’t require uniformity. We can celebrate our diverse backgrounds while still finding common ground in our love for Christ.

Putting Unity into Practice

John 17:9 is a call to action. Here are some ways we can cultivate unity in our Christian communities:

Focus on what unites us: Remember the core beliefs we share, such as the love of Christ and the message of salvation.

Practice empathy and understanding: Seek to see things from others’ perspectives and show compassion even in disagreements.

Celebrate diversity: Recognize the richness that different backgrounds and traditions bring to the church.

Work together in service: Find common ground in serving your community and sharing your faith with others.

United in Christ

John 17:9 reminds us that Jesus desires his followers to be united in love. By remembering this message and putting it into practice, we can build stronger Christian communities that reflect the love of God to the world.

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“One Minute with God”

Jun

2024

Don’t Judge, Love Instead

As Christians, we’re called to love one another deeply and wholeheartedly. However, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of judging and criticizing our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14:13 warns us about this tendency:

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”

Judging others not only goes against God’s command to love, but it also creates division and stumbling blocks within the church.

When we criticize and look down on fellow believers, we damage the unity of the Body of Christ.

Root of Judgement

At the heart of judging lies pride and self-righteousness. We convince ourselves that we have it all figured out, that our way is the right way.

But the truth is, we’re all imperfect and in need of God’s grace. Who are we to judge another person’s walk with the Lord?

Instead of dwelling on others’ faults and shortcomings, we need to examine our own hearts and motives. Are we acting out of love and humility, or are we elevating ourselves above others?

Promoting Unity Through Love

The antidote to judging is love – the kind of selfless, sacrificial love modeled by Jesus Himself.

When we truly love our brothers and sisters, we extend grace, acceptance, and understanding. We don’t nit-pick or tear them down; instead, we build them up and spur them on in their faith.

Rather than creating obstacles, we remove them by fostering an environment of love and support. We celebrate our diversity and different perspectives, recognizing that we’re all part of the same body with unique roles and gifts.

Building Up the Church

As members of Christ’s church, our calling is to encourage and uplift one another, not to judge and divide. Let’s commit to putting Romans 14:13 into practice by:

Checking our hearts for prideful judgement towards others
Extending grace, acceptance, and love to all believers
Promoting unity by removing stumbling blocks and obstacles
Building up the body of Christ through encouragement and support

When we love one another wholeheartedly, without judgement or condemnation, we reflect the love of Christ to the world around us.

Let’s be known as a people of love, not judgement, and watch as God’s spirit of unity transforms His church.