The Church as One
a united church
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Shortly after World War II, a Christian university held a retreat in a mountain in California. Among those present at the conference were pilots who served in the Luftwaffe during Hitler's time, pilots who fought for Japan, and former pilots of the United States Air Force who participated in bombing Germany. These three pilots had never been saved and had never met each other. At the last hour of the retreat, everyone gathered around the campfire. The presenter invited the people to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and asked them to pick up a stick and throw it into the fire as a sign of their willingness to offer their lives as a burnt offering for the Lord. After a while, the German pilot threw first, followed by the Japanese and American pilots. With tears in their eyes, the enemies of the past embraced each other in their arms and sang the hymn "Brothers who believe in the Lord, the friendship of love" with the voices of the other saints. They were experiencing the fellowship of love we enjoy as saints.
First, let's look for the words about becoming one body and becoming one in the Bible.
0 As you are in me and I in you, so they may all be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. that I may become one in them, and you in me, that I may be perfected in them, so that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them as you loved me. John 17:21-23)
0 The believers were of one mind and one mind, and had all things in common, and no one claimed that any of their possessions were theirs (Acts 4:32).
0 In the same way we, who are many, are one body in Christ and members of one another (Romans 12:5).
0 There is one loaf, and we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17).
0 For as the body is one and has many members, and the body has many members, yet is one body, so is Christ. We were all baptized into one body by one Spirit, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
0 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, so you were called in one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, the Father of all, who is above all, and in all, It is revealed (Ephesians 4:3-6)
0 Be of the same mind, of the same love, of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:2)
First, we must become one in faith in Jesus Christ. The only reason we can be one is because we have the same precious faith.
Second, it is to become one in life according to God's purpose for us. That is, we must have the same thoughts, thoughts, and purposes as Jesus. When the Bible tells us to be one, it does not mean to think and act as we want and to become one in a way that meets our needs. It's not that we have to wear the same clothes and shout Korea. The church must be able to agree with the belief that there is one gospel, one Christ, and one truth, and the purpose given by Him, and must be able to reconcile on that basis.
The church should not be a uniform community, but a place where unity exists in diversity. When we have the same confession of faith, we will not be deceived by false apostles and other gospels, and the community will not be divided. And we must strive to keep our unity in Christ. When we become one, the world will experience eternal life and the taste of heaven through the church.
There are many ministries in our church. However, all these ministries are working differently, but they are doing the Lord's work with the same goal in the Lord. Therefore, we need to be in harmony with each other by acknowledging each other and building each other up. Drums can be very loud, but you have to match them to the sound of other instruments. The violin sounds very soft, but when the other instruments harmonize, it makes great music with a very nice and beautiful sound. If the number of female choirs is high, only female voices are made loudly, or if there are many male tenor members and the tenor voices are loud, the hymns will not be able to sing truly beautiful songs. If that happens, there will inevitably be quarrels, conflicts, and wars here and there. That's right. Although our objects are different, when we become one by acknowledging each other, no matter how difficult we are, we can gain courage and strength to stand up again. And you will always live a life of warmth and light. We also believe that we will become a church that achieves spiritual victory and revival. I pray that you will always have a heart for unity and unity.
*Prayer: God who achieves unity, let us also give up pride, pride, and sense of privilege, which considers only me the best, following the heart of the Lord who emptied himself and came down to the position of a servant. Help me to live a life that fully fulfills the will of the Lord, who made us one in love. We give thanks and glory for the word that the Lord abides in us, and the word of the Lord abides in us, and that we are joined to Christ in one spirit as we live according to the will of God. Help me to live according to your will in you, and to fulfill your will at home, at work, and in society. So, help me to experience and feel that I am one with Christ in the Holy Spirit. I pray in Jesus name. Amen