How absolutely incredible is that moment when the surge of life fills us as we proclaim in faith that Jesus is Lord, that moment when we are “born again”! Then we are adopted by the Father into His family as sons and daughters. Then we become heirs of the kingdom of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:14,16,17). We are unified by the Spirit into the body of Christ under the Headship of our Lord and we become members of each other. (Romans 12: 5). Take a moment to let this sink in and make a place in our faith narrative.

We are united as one! Celebrate, as part of this meditation this wonderous truth that we are united, having one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and then this too: that while there is unity in the body, there is also diversity. Each member has a unique personality and has a different function. Yes, stop again, and think even on this! We are called to different ministries but we all have one calling to do the will of God and to teach people to know Jesus personally and to make Him knownimHim known. To know Christ and make Him known.
To fulfil our calling the God has woven into the core of our being as created human beings, natural talents and the Spirt of God, breathes on us spiritual gifts (Rom 12, Eph 4) to enable us to meet the demands of this distinct works to which we have been distinctly called. With the enabling help of the Holy Spirit and the imprint of the image of God on our being, we are to use these gifts in love for the edification of the Church. We are to recognize the weaker member, reach out and become vessels of strength, encouragement and hope to them. In this we are, whole heartedly building up a united, Spirit-empowered body of believers who have a collective witness to the love and saving grace of Jesus, that by our lives we may draw men to Jesus.

Christ’s promise to us that if we abide in Him, He will abide in us. This only strengthens the foundations of our belief that by the Holy Spirit’s help, we will be found worth to produce the nine-fold fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
What are our natural God-given talents; and our spiritual gifts? How are we using them to build up the weaker members and for the extension of God’s kingdom on earth? If we are unable to identify our talents or the use of them, it is time to ask God to become active in our lives by the power of His Holy Spirit. He is faithful.

Prayer

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

By Corinne Nathaniel | May 30th, 2017