Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Ephesians 6:24

About a third of the world’s people are Christians!  Believers are everywhere, it seems, in many cultures and nations.  We are not officially tied together but Paul reminds us, and we know, that we are all beloved of God.

Yesterday as I was worshipping with our small white, middle class, fairly educated and nicely rich group of wonderful people here in this, our country, I was reminded of the gift we are to one another.  We are finding our way as believers in Jesus in this world that does not love him as we do.  We might feel that we are but an insignificant minority but to God we are the apple of his eye!

As I thought about our little but meaningful group worshiping God in truth, I found myself thinking about this closing sentence of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers.  Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.  Really, to ALL?  That covers the globe and includes a multitude of cultures and situations.  I need to be overcome with the realization that I am a happy believer in my wee part of this huge world.

I am reminded that our unity as the Body of Christ on the earth is not based on our creeds and opinions, but on our unity as the most wonderful thing – the living Body of Christ on the planet.  I am connected with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.  That takes the breath away.  The Japanese widow who loves Jesus is my sister!  The family in Bombay who love Jesus are my family.  The wonderful believers at Chestnut Hill, the congregation I and my wife are in, is just as precious to God as any other in our huge world.

I am not surprised that we believers are so different, I am surprised to realize that we have one common belief that is stronger than any other allegiance, our love of Jesus Christ and our love for all He loves!