Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Carousel, includes the song: “June is Bustin’ Out all Over.” The song is a rollicking, slightly bawdy description of change. Without such fanciful description we certainly know change is a reality we face.Does this mean we must consign ourselves to going along with whatever, willy-nilly, comes our way? Absolutely not!
We are invited to eternal life in Jesus Christ which includes unity in covenant with God and one another that will not pass away.
And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made… I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. John 17:3-5, 20-23
We are the Body of Jesus Christ, his Church, living and serving God to share the Good News of eternal life in Jesus Christ with everyone. Anyone who seeks to draw close (closer) to Jesus and everyone who does not yet know Jesus are folks we pray to be privileged to influence for Jesus!
Unity in the Church is only authentic if we are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ! We welcome everyone in the Body of Christ. If someone seeks to be a leader in Jesus’ Church without submitting to the enduring, life-transforming Lordship of Jesus that saves us from sin, death and condemnation; that is not unity!
How do we maintain unity? We stay submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. How?
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:12-14
Jesus is our unity with God Almighty and one another; and is established in faithfulness to his Word and devoted prayer. Victory over sin and death has been accomplished by Jesus, all we cannot do for ourselves, Jesus has done. Power to overcome the condemnation of sin and death is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ and the presence of His Holy Spirit through his precious gift. We continue to live in a world with sin, death, challenge and difficulty; yet, Jesus has overcome and he empowers us to overcome.
We are called to watch over one another as we stir one another up to love and good works through encouragement; the real and awesome love of Jesus implanted within us through his Holy Spirit. Growing together in the love of God, sharing the gifting and empowerment of his Holy Spirit as we live in the fullness of life made possible to be Jesus’ body in this world. We grow into the maturity and joy of the Church, which “is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” (William Temple)
Praise the Lord he provides the authentic unity we need to be his Church, loving God and one another with all our heart, soul, and strength.
We have the privilege to share authentic, eternal life in Jesus’ unchanging Lordship.
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ,
In Jesus, Paul and Nancy Wier