The Church's One Foundation - Part 2

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endued.

Words: Samuel J. Stone;   Music: Aurelia, Samuel S. Wesley

What a marvelous picture of the Body of Christ; of the true church! We get so wrapped up sometimes in the mundane and mortal trappings of religion that we forget the Divine Union we have with believers around the world. We each think of our "Union"­ whatever country that may be ­ as somehow being "in charge" of God's church and, dare we admit it, perhaps more elect than the others. What hypocrisy! Paul's writing in 1 Corinthians 12 describes how this Body of Christ is set up with Christ as its head, and none of His people more important than any other. Each has its part and place in the Body.

Note also that this refers to the ELECT not the ELITE. Matt 24:22, Rom 8:33, Col 3:12, Titus 1:1, and Rev 17:14 all use the word "Elect" ­ the Chosen. Paul calls us the "royal priesthood". We have position in Christ, yes. We have the Blessing in Christ, yes. Yet it is wise to remember John 3:16. Another old hymn says, "Whosoever will may come". It is by God's grace and His pursuit through the Holy Spirit that we are part of the elect. That grace and pursuit is there for all who will come by faith to the Savior. We are not special, it is our Savior who is special. We did not deserve the Blessing, but He has offered it freely.

So what are we called to in this Body? We are called quite simply to unity and love and obedience, my brothers and sisters. Eternity is a long time. Perhaps we should practice holy unity before we get there so we are not surprised at who is in Heaven with us.

Ephesians 4:2-6       "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

May we be humble before Him and before each other. Amen.

- Crystal Schippling