"ONE IN THE SPIRIT, ONE IN THE LORD"

I read just recently about this infantry company during the Vietnam War that was made up mostly of white soldiers from the Deep South with a few others who were black - a unit commanded by a black sergeant. The racial walls between them became molded into a group of guys who would die for each other. There was something about being in war together that brought people close together who might not have never had anything in common. They had a mission; and so do we who belong to Jesus Christ; what ever our denomination. But take away our focus on that mission and we are back to the things that divide us.

Pleas note John 17: 20, Jesus prays for all believers: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, (VS. 21) that all of them" - now notice this - may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." It just seems like many of us Christians have forgotten our mission - the people who don't yet know Christ, who have no hope for eternity without Him. Our focus is supposed to be outward on the lost, not inward on ourselves. When we've got our hearts and lives full of rescuing dying people, our differences are suddenly nowhere near as important as the mission and we come together! But this can not be accomplished in "Our comfort Zone."

Some where along the way we have lost our focus in our eternal rescue mission, and focus on each other; and when we do we fall apart. Churches fall apart - many ministries - and only the Lord knows how many Christian relationships. We become an answer to our Savior's prayer for us on the eve of His crucifixion. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me (Jesus) and that you have loved them as even as you have loved me." It is our mission that forces us to come together, to fight sin and Satan.

Beloved, the song: {By: Peter Scholtes} "They'll Know We Are Christians by our Love," because we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand" - We will work with each other, we will work side by side" - All praise to the Father ... all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son."

ONE IN THE SPIRIT, ONE IN THE LORD, brings us "Out of Our Comfort Zone."

In "HIS" Service,
Roy