07/26/2020
By our faith in Jesus Christ, and His desire that we take His gospel, and the Word of God, into all of the world, we have become the glory of God. We, as the varied and amazing Church, have become an example before all of heaven of the immense diversity and creativity of our Heavenly Father. So now in this present age it is meant for us to come together in all our many colors, and various fabrics, to become the beautiful tapestry of God’s design which bears the perfect image of Jesus Christ... His Son.
“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 3:10-11 NLT
As parents we love to dress our children up in nice clothes, and take them to church, family gatherings, recitals, and other such occasions. We do this because they are the apples of our eye, and we want others to see just how wonderful they are, and how special each one is to us, each in their own way, but all of the same family. We show each of them off as they demonstrate their individual talents, beauty, and characteristics. We often say to one another that it is amazing, but if we had a million children, that no two would be the same. From a man and woman flows such incredible diversity, and in the world we also see the amazing glory of God in the diversity of His Church... brought forth, and created through Christ.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:16-17 ESV
Jesus, is the Son of God our Father, and it is in Him that we have all been born again into one Flesh, and have become a single family, as sons and daughters of one Heavenly Father. We are the variety of God’s creation in size, shape, color, and language. We worship him in ways so diverse that they can’t be numbered, offering Him food and drink according to our customs, and we praise Him in ways as rich in cultural diversity as all the creatures of the heavens, seas, and earth combined... more numerous than the stars. We sing to Him, and praise Him in every tongue which He has provided to us... Tongues that were once meant to confuse us, and separate us, but have now come together to glorify Him.
“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.”
Genesis 11:7-8 ESV
Our confusion and diversity which once served to divide us, and became the root of many wars and disagreements, have been brought together in one tent, and made to worship one God through Jesus. He sent His disciples into the world with this message, and we are still delivering it today. We are meant to love and worship as one...
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
So why is it that in so many ways His children, and churches, who having heard the good news of Jesus, remain separated in this new age? Why have we carried forward the worst attributes of an anciently imposed diversity, intended to separate us, into this new world of Christ, where that same diversity has been transformed, and is now meant to bring us together for the glory of God? All tongues, all races, all nationality, every culture and yes, every individual, is now called to worship Him as one.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
Romans 12:4-5 ESV
Today we see the results in our streets, and sanctuaries, of those who have turned their backs on the truth, and ignored the unifying message of Christ. It is easy to realize that there is no glory in this for God, nor man alike. We hear the king of chaos calling men and women to unite beneath his torches and hate filled banners, but there is no unity there... only destruction, just a return to the gates of Babel. So wake up Church, wake up believers; stop your incessant bickering, and back biting. Go out now into the world as one, and spread the uniting Gospel of Jesus Christ with increased vigor! Preach, and teach, the true Word of God! While the body of Christ has slept the father of the world has been actively sowing discord and destruction amongst our youth, and the battle rages on in our streets without our having lifted an hand to defend the Glory of God.
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Jude 1:3-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the diversity you have instilled in your creation, and for how it thrills our souls as we worship you in such amazing, and wonderful, ways. Thank you for your Son Jesus who has brought all of your children together, and leads us in every tongue, and way, as one people in worship: all for your glory. Open our eyes Holy Father to the present day need to continue spreading the Gospel of Jesus, and to revisit the foundations of our faith where in many instances your Word has grown cold... even in our churches as a whole. Help us Father by bringing revival to our faith, and pouring out your unifying grace upon us. Teach us to live and worship as one. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is One, and the creator of all people. Praised be your name for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us, and unite us as one family of faith under your banner, and in your house. Hear our voices as we sing to you, and worship you in every language and custom. Bless us as one, even in our diverse prayers, and offerings, for each is meant to be a part of the whole, and to glorify you before all creation. Lift us to eternity through Jesus Christ, and join us with the diversity of your heavenly host.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.””
Revelation 7:9-12 ESV
Rich Forbes