“one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6)
It is sad to see how often we find families who, by their own choice, hardly see each other, and when they do, it is almost always out of obligation.
But it is even more painful for this to happen within the Church. And both in its local, denominational and interdenominational aspects.
Disqualifications or separations motivated not by serious doctrinal issues but, most of the time, by minor issues.
Large events are organized to try to get a few people together. But you face the problem of ending up having only “congressional relationships”.
And with the added risk of ending up arguing over trifles.
If Paul were to take a look at some of today’s congregations, he would have more than enough arguments to rewrite the introduction to 1 Corinthians:
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:11-13).
Paul reminds us that all true believers are part of the same Body. We have the same Father, and we were ransomed by the same sacrifice.
We are all members, perhaps different and with different functions, but in need of each other.
For without your brother, or without you, the Body of Christ is not complete, and all the work of God is lost.
See you.
Can you help me to share it?
Cover photo by Matt Botsford on Unsplash
