FROM THE PASTOR …

Complete Unity

When the Lord prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed not only for the disciples, but for all of us. “‘My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who believe in me through their message.’” (John 17:20) His concern for us was that the world would know he had been sent by the Father by virtue of the way we relate to each other. “‘I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’” (John 20:23)

The key to our unity is love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

God is the source of what we need to have complete unity. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

How I look at others is fundamental to my spiritually encouraging them. I must see people as those who are loved by God and called by God. I must see people as those for whom Jesus gave his life on Calvary’s cross. I must also see them as part of the body of which I am a member, the body of Christ

Blessings! Pastor Ken