The Church.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link. 

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of  one Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 English Standard Version

If you know me, you know that I am a huge baseball fan, specifically a fan of the Colorado Rockies. Following sports and having a favorite team can allow fans to feel like they are a part something big. It gives them a sense of unity. The fans gather in the stadium on game day and are united in their purpose, cheering on and encouraging their favorite team to victory. True fans will stick with their team through the best times and through the worst times.

In some respects, this is similar to the church. All of the followers of Christ throughout the world, regardless of ethnicity or social status, are baptized into one body, the body of Christ, through the Holy Spirit. We are united in one purpose, preaching the gospel of Christ to the nations and living as witnesses to the truth of Christ and His purpose. Although there are some denominational differences among the local churches that we attend, those who are baptized into Christ and proclaim Christ to be Lord and Savior are members of the Body of Christ with us.

We are blessed to be able to find our unity in Christ. When our focus is on Christ, we will find that he will lead us into that unity of purpose. As the Jews were called by God to bless the nations, the church today is called to a special purpose in bringing Christ to the nations. We are called to be a light in the world. Alone, we are unable to fulfill this purpose, but if our trust is in God, the Holy Spirit will work his purpose through us. This is a call to put our trust in the Holy Spirit, that we may be the united Body of Christ throughout the world.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO