Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
One Lord, One Baptism
Rev. Larry Varghese
Horeb MTC, Los
Angeles
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and
through all and in all.
In many newspapers you’ll find the children’s section which usually has the game where you’re supposed to spot the differences between two pictures. I always enjoyed those. It’s interesting how we played that game as kids and then when we grow up we continue do the same thing except now we don’t think it’s a game. We have all but become expert at spotting the differences around us. We can spot the differences between our parish versus their parish, between our denomination and their denomination and even between our Bible and their Bible. So many differences. Sometimes we get a sense of pride just knowing that we are different! We emphasize our differences; it’s what sets us apart, makes us feel unique and special. And when we pass the baton of church life to the next generation we make it a point to hand over our cherished differences.
But what if there’s something more important than our differences with one another? What if being distinct from other fellow Christians isn't the goal God had in mind for us.
Paul urges the readers to understand the profound unity they share with one another. Paul tells us that behind all of life’s differences, for Christians there is a fundamental unity that we share. We are one body. Our faith in the Triune God, our hope for Jesus’ second coming, and our baptism unite us. When Paul speaks strongly about Christian unity, he does not mean to imply that the church in Ephesus should look like the church in Jerusalem. In fact, they were very different churches. But all Christians, no matter what their language, culture, or denomination, are part of the one body and share in the same baptism. This brings us together and it ultimately makes us stronger.
So here’s a not so novel idea: let’s focus on how we are similar with one another. Let’s rejoice together in our one Lord. Let’s acknowledge our differences, understand our own stance, but with equal enthusiasm let us celebrate our unity with the Church universal. And as we pass on the baton of Mar Thoma church life to our children, let us be careful about what we hand over. Let us pass on the essential, unifying truths of the gospel first.
In many newspapers you’ll find the children’s section which usually has the game where you’re supposed to spot the differences between two pictures. I always enjoyed those. It’s interesting how we played that game as kids and then when we grow up we continue do the same thing except now we don’t think it’s a game. We have all but become expert at spotting the differences around us. We can spot the differences between our parish versus their parish, between our denomination and their denomination and even between our Bible and their Bible. So many differences. Sometimes we get a sense of pride just knowing that we are different! We emphasize our differences; it’s what sets us apart, makes us feel unique and special. And when we pass the baton of church life to the next generation we make it a point to hand over our cherished differences.
But what if there’s something more important than our differences with one another? What if being distinct from other fellow Christians isn't the goal God had in mind for us.
Paul urges the readers to understand the profound unity they share with one another. Paul tells us that behind all of life’s differences, for Christians there is a fundamental unity that we share. We are one body. Our faith in the Triune God, our hope for Jesus’ second coming, and our baptism unite us. When Paul speaks strongly about Christian unity, he does not mean to imply that the church in Ephesus should look like the church in Jerusalem. In fact, they were very different churches. But all Christians, no matter what their language, culture, or denomination, are part of the one body and share in the same baptism. This brings us together and it ultimately makes us stronger.
So here’s a not so novel idea: let’s focus on how we are similar with one another. Let’s rejoice together in our one Lord. Let’s acknowledge our differences, understand our own stance, but with equal enthusiasm let us celebrate our unity with the Church universal. And as we pass on the baton of Mar Thoma church life to our children, let us be careful about what we hand over. Let us pass on the essential, unifying truths of the gospel first.
PRAYER
Father, we thank you for uniting us with you
through baptism and communion and thereby uniting us with one another. Help us
to us to cherish our similarities more than our distinctiveness. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Diversity without unity is just division.
Diversity without unity is just division.