Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Verse of the Day 7/16

 

Ephesians 4:5-6  There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 The passage speaks of the Triune God, referencing Father, Son, and Spirit, yet one God over all.  It speaks of the sovereignty of God as God being "over all, in all and through" all. He works through all people all circumstances for His purposes.  It is hard to wrap our heads around it, but, in faith we believe and trust that it is true.
 
The one faith, one baptism, and one God speak to the communion of saints, all being of one body.  In a day of countless denominations, many times this gets lost in the fray.  I think that Charles Spurgeon had it right when he wrote, "The witness of our church must be one and indivisible. We must have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. And yet dear to our hearts is that great article of the Nicene Creed, the "Communion of Saints." I do not believe in the communion of Episcopalians. I do not believe in the communion of Baptists. I dare not sit with them exclusively. I think I should be almost strict communicant enough not to sit with them at all, because I should say, "This is not the communion of saints, it is the communion of Baptists." Whosoever loves the Lord Jesus Christ in verity and truth has a hearty welcome, and is not only permitted, but invited to communion with the Church of Christ."
 
Instead of division, their should be more communion, more "union" between us believers, sharing a common Lord, faith, and baptism being able to see beyond modes and methods to what is at the core, the One who is over all, in all and living through us all.
 
Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at http://www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com/
 

Ephesians 4:3-6

New Living Translation (NLT)
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

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