Click Here to read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
You and I aren’t the only ones who look back at the previous year, trying to discern where we are now. The New Year makes even government leaders want to review their status. Every January, the President of the United States and the Governors of the states, even a few mayors of cities give a ‘State of the Union’ (State, or City) address. Most, I think, use the speech as a chance to promote their future agenda rather than truly look at the current status and address the factors led to it.
What about you? What’s the state of your union? You’re probably wondering what union I’m talking about; marriage or relationship, work or personal. Actually, I’m wondering about the state of your spiritual union. St. Paul tells us that if we are ‘united’ to Christ, then we are one in spirit with Him (1 Cor. 16:17). We need to try and get our minds around what that means.
What does ‘one in spirit’ mean?
To be one in spirit is more than just feeling you’re somehow connected because of your knowledge of God, it’s realizing that as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ you are no longer your own. As St. Paul points out in verses 19 and 20, you don’t own yourself, Jesus does. When you put your faith in Him, you accepted his payment for you – the cross. Several places in scripture believers are called ‘bond-servants’. That’s right, we’re slaves. But, we’re slaves to the most loving master in the world; Jesus knows our every need and thought. He knows who we really are and knows our darkest secrets. And get this, He loves us any way! Why? Because He made us, and He knows exactly what we’re capable of being when we give ourselves over to union with Him.
So what’s the state of your Union? If you’re IN Christ, it’s strong. In fact, nothing can breakdown your union with Christ, except your own will, should you desire to leave Him. He never forces Himself on anyone. But, like any union, if there isn’t consistent and open communication, accompanied by a mutual love and respect for each other, then the union cannot only be strained, but eventually broken. Unions are only as strong as the love that binds them together. And, concerning our union with Christ, He brings to our relationship the strongest love possible, the unfailing, unconditional love of God, and that’s why the state of all Union in Christ is strong.
This Week:
If you’re not sure about the strength of your union with Jesus Christ, why not stop and communicate with Him from your heart right now? He’s always ready to hear from you, and to reassure you how much He loves you, and loves being in union with you. Ask him to open your heart each day to see just how precious is your union with Him.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Brad
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6