Real Christian Unity

"A politician once made a very interesting remark in a campaign speech. I quote: "Wherever I have gone in this country, I have found Americans." Well, this would have been an astute observation if he had been in another nation, but he was referring to America! It's one of those things that makes you go hmmm...

When I read that, it reminded me of an amazing aspect of the Christian life. Did you know that the minute you became a believer, you joined a worldwide family? It's true- you have spiritual brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers all around the globe."

It shouldn't be out of place for us to go anywhere in the world, and look around to find Christians.  People who we instantly have a intimate connection with.  Why? Well because of the unity that having the Holy Spirit dwell inside each of us brings.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."   (Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV)

"...from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named..." we are all 'named' in the name of the Father.  It doesn't matter if we're Australians or Africans, Queenslanders or New South Welshmen, male or female, young or old... we are all named for God because we all have God dwelling within us.  We are grounded in love!! Together, from the ends of the earth, we all attempt to comprehend the breadth, length, height and depth of the love of God which we ultimately know surpasses our comprehension.  Yet what we do know brings us together in true Christian unity.

Wherever we go in the world, when we meet Christians there, then that should be enough to know we have a true sense of unity with those people.  On the grand scale that sounds refreshing, encouraging and supportive, but bring it back to a local concept.  How well do we handle this notion within our own congregations? What about across denominations in our own suburbs?  This again is a thought that provides both inspiration and challenge.  The global idea seems inspirational, but maybe beyond our reach (which by being a bit disconnected allows us to feel inspired not threatened), but when we look at the real life scenario and we see the challenge, maybe we get just a little bit threatened.

Maybe we need to realise true unity in our own congregations better?