Tuesday, August 28, 2024 - CHRISTIAN UNITY

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Tuesday, August 28, 2024 - Day 240 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 128-131; 1 Cor. 7:25-40)

CHRISTIAN UNITY 

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”   (Psalm 133 ESV) 

“Living in unity is as soothing as being anointed with oil, as refreshing as dew from the mountains on a parched desert... But we often experience discord, strife, and disunity instead. This is true of our families, our communities, and our churches. Yet Christ’s prayer (John 17:11) is “that they may be one, even as We are one.” (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 929)

While the plethora of Christian denominations doesn’t make it appear that we are one, our faith in Christ as Savior and Lord reveals our unity. In fact, it is our faith in Christ, and Christ alone, that makes us Christians in the first place!

  Elect from ev’ry 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.

  

  Through toil and tribulation, 

  And tumult of her war,

  She waits the consummation 

  Of peace for evermore

  Till, with the vision glorious 

  Her longing eyes are blest,

  And the great Church victorious 

  Shall be the Church at rest.

  Yet she on earth has union 

  With God the Three in One,

  And mystic sweet communion 

  With those whose rest is won.

  O blessed heav’nly chorus!  

  Lord, save us by Your grace,

  That we, like saints before us, 

  May see You face to face.

  (Lutheran Service Book, #644, stanzas 2,3,4)

Heavenly Father, thank You for making us one in Christ. Please keep me and all believers strong in the saving faith. I ask this especially for my Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering persecution. Lord have mercy! Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf