LET US ALL BE "One in Christ"

I can hardly believe that it has been a whole year now since I was led by the Lord to start up this blog and spread the good news of the gospel. I can honestly say that it has been a very exciting and challenging experience for me. There are so many folks out there with "Christian blogs" that are just as dedicated as I am to reach the lost souls of this world. I want to thank all of my friends that follow and post comments. You have all been an encouragement too me and I consider you all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

The internet is such a blessing from God because it allows us to reach so many folks that are hurting. As Christians, we can let the world know that the only way to have peace, joy and happiness in their lives is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The Lord has led me to study and meditate on Ephesians 2:11-13, in which the Apostle Paul teaches us the importance of all believers being "One in Christ". It sometimes breaks my heart to see so many "Christian blogs" that concentrate more on debating and fighting over debatable doctrines instead of focusing on the "Great Commission" that Jesus commanded us to do. All believers in our Lord must come together on a common ground where we can unite as "One in Christ" so the lost world will not be so confused. Our duty as followers of Jesus is to spread the good news, not to confuse people.

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13)

Because the sign of the Abrahamic covenant was circumcision, the Jews proudly referred to themselves as the Circumcision. Somewhat less kindly, they called Gentiles the Uncircumcision. Pious Jews ("the circumcision") considered all non-Jews (the "uncircumcised") ceremonially unclean. They thought of themselves as pure and clean because of their national heritage and religious ceremonies. Paul pointed out that Jews and Gentiles alike were unclean before God and needed to be cleansed by Christ.

Paul told the Ephesians that Jews and Gentiles alike could be guilty of spiritual pride - Jews for thinking their faith and traditions elevated them above everyone else, and Gentiles for trusting in their achievements, power, or position. Spiritual pride blinds us to our own faults and magnifies the faults of others. We must be careful not to become proud of your salvation. Instead, humbly thank God for what He has done, and encourage others who might be struggling in their faith. In order to realize how great a gift salvation is, we need to remember our former natural, unclean condition. Have you ever felt separate, excluded, and hopeless? These verses are for you. No one is alienated from Christ's love or from the body of believers.

Paul painted vividly the bleak condition of pagans. They had no hope, for God had not reached out to them to establish a covenant relationship. However, the shed blood of Christ could bring the Gentiles back to their Creator. Before Christ's coming, Gentiles and Jews kept apart from one another. Jews considered Gentiles beyond God's saving power and therefore without hope. Gentiles resented Jewish claims. Christ revealed the total sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles, and then He offered His salvation to both. Only Christ breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles all believers to God, and unifies us in one body.

ONE TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST

• No condemnation awaits us. Romans 8:1
• We are set free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
• We are sanctified and made acceptable in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2
• We are righteous and holy in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30
• We will be made alive at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:22
• We are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
• We receive God's righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21
• We are one in Christ with all other believers. Galatians 3:28
• We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
• We are holy, blameless, and covered with God's love. Ephesians 1:4
• We are adopted as God's children. Ephesians 1:5, 6
• Our sins are taken away, and we are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7
• We will be brought under Christ's headship. Ephesians 1:10, 11
• We are marked as belonging to god by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13
• We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory. Ephesians 2:6
• We are God's work of art. Ephesians 2:10
• We have been brought near to God. Ephesians 2:13
• We share in the promise in Christ. Ephesians 3:6
• We can come with freedom and confidence into God's presence. Ephesians 3:12
• We are members of Christ's body, the church. Ephesians 5:29, 30
• We have been given fullness in Christ. Colossians 2:10
• We are set free from our sinful nature. Colossians 2:11
• We will have eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10

It is my prayer, that as true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, that we can all come together as brothers and sisters in the family of God. Let us all put away our pride and have the mind of Christ the next time we witness on our blogs or to our neighbors. Remember, there is only one true God and His Son Jesus paid the ultimate price for us all. God's blessings too each and every one of you.

References: NKJV Holy Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), and Nelson Study Bible.