One Nation, Under God; One Body, Many Parts

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 "To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting, and precious; and, as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed."
-A.T. Pierson
  
   True Christian unity is founded in a relationship with Christ. The early church may have had its struggles, but there is beauty in the way they lived out community and shared the love of Christ.  The community they shared and the love they had for others was the greatest evidence of the faith we have in our savior. When the world looks at the church (for church is not a building, but the Body of Christ) they should see our unity. 


  During my sunday morning bible study with my freshman girls, we have been walking through Acts together and studying the early church. Most recently we took a look at the beautiful manner in which they lived out community in the way they taught, learned, enjoyed fellowship, broke break together, and prayed (Acts 2:42-47). They did these things out of the love they experienced in Christ that overflowed into every thought, action, and relationship. This love was so enticing the outside world came to them, to the point that 3,000 souls came to know Christ and be baptized in a single day (Acts 2:41). 

  What would happen if we were to be half as obedient to God's love as the early church?  We are meant to be different from each other, we are individual parts of one body, but at what point do we start acting like the body? We do not love each other in this way, the disunity we have within the church based on politics, denomination, and any number of things makes us no different than the world. When do we drop the petty fights that pale in comparison to the power of the cross?

  Please, please, dear brother and sisters, keep this in mind this election season. Remember that we are in unity together not because of how similar we are, but because of the blood that covers us and the relationship we have with our savior. We were made to be in community. The constant in-fighting and arguing does not set us apart. We are turning the lost away from the love they desperately want and need. I'm not saying this because I am perfect, the Lord knows I am not, but because it has been laid on my heart and I am being convicted of this very struggle. 

   

  


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