Unity

Dear Diary ,

Tomorrow is a special day because it is the festival of Onam. If you are a Malayali , you know it’s not just a festival , it's a feeling. The day where we invite our family and friends , make athapoo, wear the traditional set saree and mundu , eat onam sadya , play tug of war , the breathtaking Vallam kali and finally await the arrival of King Mahabali , no not the real one but an uncle in a costume , still the same thing though. It's a special day and the message of Onam holds a special meaning which sometimes gets lost in translation. King Mahabali during his reign could establish equality amongst the people , provide justice and prosperity to the kingdom. This message of unity is echoed throughout Onam as we celebrate together without any regards to our differences and enjoy these special moments.

Just like this message of unity , the Bible also encourages us to stand united in the Spirit and fulfill the mission that Jesus has given us. In John 17 , we see Jesus praying for His disciples and He prays for the unity amongst His disciples just as He and God are one. Jesus knew that there should be a oneness in Spirit amongst the disciples so that their ministry will bear fruit. This very unity and love shared amongst His people will be seen by all and they would know Jesus was sent sent by God and how caring and loving God is.

John 17: 22-23

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Paul echoes the same sentiments in Ist Corinthians 1:10 , it says

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

There was a division in the church of Corinth and Paul was stressing the importance of being united in Christ.

In vs 12-13 , it says ,

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

He makes them understand that they are not following him or Cephas or Apollos or baptized in their name but Christ and Christ alone.

He ends this discussion in vs 17 by saying

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel

He tells us that we have responsibility , a call to go out into the world , preach the Gospel , the good news and salvation in Christ Jesus.

We have a mission as followers of God and we know what it is but somehow we have forgotten it. We chase after things in the world which is not important to God and the truth in the Bible is changed to fit our narrative. These schools of thoughts then cause division amongst people and then the essential message of God becomes secondary and it becomes all about proving a point. God called us for a purpose and He has given us the instructions in the Bible on how to pursue it and lead our lives. But where does the division come from ? and I know we know the answer to that question.

To help understand the importance of unity , Paul says in Ist Corinthians 12:12-27 and I encourage everyone to read it. In short , Paul describes us all baptized into the body of Christ by one Spirit. He uses a simple example with reference to our human body . Just like how our each and every part of our body are essential to our body so are we in the body of Christ.

If our ear decides one day that it is not an eye hence it is not part of the body , we won’t be able to hear. Hence each body part is important and placed just as it should be just as we are in Christ.

He goes on to explain , no body part is higher than the other , every part of the body is equal because if one body part suffers , the rest suffer as well. Just like that we as the members of the body of Christ , should remain together , care for each other , be guided by the Holy Spirit which leads us to the truth and be united in the mission to spread the gospel.

Just a reminder!!!!

MATTHEW 28:18-20

Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

MATTHEW 24:14

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.

1 PETER 2:9-10

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy,but now you have received mercy."

Let us all stand united today , with the strength of God , the word of God which speaks the truth and the Holy Spirit which guides us and proclaim to the world about salvation we have through Jesus.

Prayer :

Our heavenly Father , we pray that we would stand united with each other and set aside our differences and work together as one in the body of Christ. Help us to remember your mission that you have given us to go out into the world and share the message of salvation that by grace you have given us. Amen.

UNITED WE STAND , DIVIDED WE FALL