Unity In DiversityMuestra

8\. – UNITY IN CHRIST The first creed that sprang up in the early church took the shape of a short statement: “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2: 11). Paul saw as God’s wish that a day came in which all humanity made this confession. There is only one Lord, and he is Jesus Christ the Saviour. Only one Lord reigns over the church, all believers are under the authority and at the service of the same Lord. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” John 17: 20, 21 This is the most moving prayer of the Teacher, which reveals to us the most intimate part of His heart. He was a victim on the altar of sacrifice, and in His last moments the Saviour does not only wish for the salvation of His people, but He intercedes for the unity of those saved, so that being saved, they can be united. Unity was so close to the Saviour’s heart in times of such suffering that we should consider it something inestimable and invaluable. Unity is not automatic, we must work on it, and it is not easy to achieve. Attaining unity requires intentionality, effort, and maturity. He wants all the sheep to be gathered in one flock under His own care. Those who have been vivified by the Holy Spirit and led to a vital union with the Lord must build unity. The love of Christ constrains us not to consider our brother a stranger, but a fellow citizen of the saints. We must ensure unity based on the love that the Lord Jesus asks we have for each other, doing what we can to love others as Jesus loved us. Christ prays for the unity of His Church, so that all the saints are led to the unity of a life in Him. Be it so! Manuel Díaz Thanksgiving: • Father, thank You for Your son Jesus Christ. • Thank You because Jesus is and will be the person most interested in the unity of the church. We trust in His eternal plan and we appreciate His work. Confession: • We want to confess that we do not always live with the conviction that You are the Lord of all areas of our life. Help us to long for Your lordship. Petition: • We ask that Your church, around the world, recognize the true unity that lies in Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. • May we remember that, despite our diversity, we are one and may the world see it.