The One True Church of God

Ephesians 4:3-4  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called—

The world attacks Christians.  This is a fact.  It always has and it will until the very “end of end times”.   Christians are hated because as Christ told us that we are not of this world any more than he was of it.  The world is under the influence and power (not the control) of Satan.  Notice, I said influence because God still controls all that happens here.  Nothing happens without his permission.  So, Satan is “allowed” to attack and tempt us and to influence us but we should never be confused and think that he is God’s equal.  God has NO EQUAL! All that God allows to happen in this world is for his purpose of the salvation of mankind.  Don’t hurt your head trying to figure it all out.

John 15:18-19  "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.   19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Now back to our first scriptures in Ephesians.  There is only one body, one spirit, one church.  We Christians are split into many denominations but there is only one true Holy Church of God.  We are all one united body united in Christ.   All Christians need to look past the differences in our traditions and doctrines (which are man-made) and live in peace and love as one holy nation.   John Wesley, founder of the United Methodist Church said that even though our differences in worship styles and rituals and ceremonies may prevent us from enjoying an “external” union, we can all be united in our love.  We can be one united “catholic/universal” church in our love for the Lord and in our love for one another and in the good works we do in serving God as his children.   That’s deep.  In this way there should be no division between us.  We are family and should care for one another.

We should lovingly serve one another.   Our hearts should be filled with peace and love because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  So “in one body and in one Spirit” we are united with God and with one another.  In Barnes Notes on the Bible it reminds us that Christ didn’t come to save a certain earthly church/denomination of people or any particular group of people.  He sacrificed himself for ALL people so that all who unite with him will have a way back to God, the Father and will be called into His kingdom.  As Christians we all have the same hope in our salvation and God’s promise of eternal life.

Oh, and remember scripture says…. 16 “whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.”  (1 John 4:16, 20)   20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar.

May the Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless you.  Amen