Nougat 13

We continue our discourse on living our Faith and rising above conflicts within the faith community with today’s Holy Nougat

“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At that Last Supper before His Crucifixion, Jesus broke bread and established a new way of being ‘embodied’ with Him. Later, Paul extended the concept to represent the fellowship of believers as the Body of Christ. Interestingly, when the metaphor arose in the Corinthian church; it was also in the context of conflict. Unfortunately it seems that conflicts about valuing others has been a challenge for the Church for a very long time.

If we revert to verse 2; we will recall the admonition to humility – seeing ourselves and others as God sees us, and treating each other accordingly. This call to Unity – not Uniformity – echoes the metaphoric use of body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and Romans 12:4. There may be different organs but they are intended to function together under the direction of the Brain (Head), Blood flow (Heart), and Breath (pneuma).

As we consider the rampant divisiveness in our current faith communities – denominations, fellowships etc – it is obvious that many of us have forgotten this Major point. When we preach Christ, and another does likewise, we EACH are living out our individual calling; for God’s glory and of our future with God.

Inasmuch as we are One, our functions differ.

Inasmuch as we differ, our task remains the same: that is, to bring Glory to God

Inasmuch as we approach our calling to the task differently; we function under our Head, God in Jesus Christ, because of the shed Blood of Jesus by the Breath of God’s Spirit, the One Spirit over our lives. Even when we disagree.

In fact, when we disagree; it might be that we need to consult a Specialist – the Spirit of Christ. Only then can we find the Unity – WITH God’s Spirit IN the bonds of Peace.

Rather than public squabbling; we may need to remind ourselves that we are one Body; Called BY God under the authority of God’s Spirit.

Disagree; surely. But with patience and respect.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ