Ephesians 4:1-6; “I, [Paul], beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Greetings Friends and Neighbors,
Paul identifies the Triune God as the source of the church’s identity. The unity, the oneness, of the church reflects God’s gift of reconciliation in Christ. We are part of God’s Church on earth, part of ONE communion in Christ that spans the globe. We are all connected and united in work as the “body of Christ”.
Our relationship with God simultaneously involves relationship within and on behalf of community. “Church”is not a building of mortar and brick. Church is you and me and people everywhere that are brought together as ONE by God’s grace, through Christ.
The Church—with a capital “C” —is a communion of hope in a world confronted by death and destruction. We form ONE body with Christ as its head. ONE structure with Christ as its cornerstone. The Christian community in Eleva and across the globe has been abundantly and diversely gifted by God for building up the body of Christ, for the CHURCH.
Our relationship with God simultaneously involves relationship within and on behalf of community. As a global faith community, we can undertake amazing ministries to further God’s ministry. We can accomplish far more together than we can as individuals, or a single faith community. Each of us has been chosen, called and equipped to further the kingdom of God.
Make no mistake, God has chosen you. You are a member of the body of Christ, and you are loved unconditionally. I invite you to ponder these questions: Who is God calling me to be? What is God equipping me to do? While you consider that, remember that on account of Divine Love, God’s grace is always present. on account of love Christ died for you. on account of love the Holy Spirit makes faith possible. on account of love, each of us is inspired to live and love in gratitude and unity. on account of love, we are members of the ONE BODY OF CHRIST!
- on account of love Christ died for you.
- on account of love the Holy Spirit makes faith possible.
- on account of love, each of us is inspired to live and love in gratitude and unity.
- on account of love, we are members of the ONE BODY OF CHRIST!
We cannot depend on our own ability, or power to live a life worthy of God’s call. It is through the love of Christ that we can be humble, gentle, and patient; and make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Thanks be to the God of us all, who is above all and through all and in all!
Servants Together,
Pastor Karen
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