The same body

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.

It is utterly marvelous what Christ did through His Cross. Through His death, two enemies became one. Through His Cross, those at enmity now belong to one family. Those who were enemies in their minds by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death. Through Christ’s atoning death, strangers and foreigners are now fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Has anything like this ever been done? Of course not! No reconciliation of the like has been accomplished; no such propitiation; no such expiation and mediation! Two implacable enemies have never before been placed into one body—the Church! What a glorious union was made possible through Christ!

And now, therefore, Jews and Gentiles are no longer at odds, but can fellowship as though they are in the same family, because they are! They belong to one family. There are not two separate churches, two separate races, who never intermingle with brotherhood and oneness. They are now joined into one. And what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder! And now that God has joined them, we must recognized the universality of this doctrine. This does not mean everyone is a child of God. This does not mean everyone in the world is of the same family and race. No, my friend. It exceedingly and eternally transcends such things. For you see, those who believe in Christ and have received His salvation and forgiveness—they and only they—are the ones that have all been baptized into one body and one Spirit. That is why Christ prayed, “that they may be one, even as we are one.” Yes, they are all one! All the believers, who are the true children of God. Every person who has now entered the body, Christ’s church, is of the same unit and the same family.

Therefore, my friend, if there is a church that encompass every true believer in the world—if there is a body into which we are all placed, why then do we not fellowship with the joy and brotherhood of this fraternal bond? Why is it that every difference we can think of has become of so great importance? Are there importance differences? Is doctrine important? Nothing could be more important! But can you not love and fellowship with another true brother or sister in Christ as through you are in one family? There can be no doubt that we are members one of another. Therefore, let us, as Paul so aptly said, “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” See Romans 14:19. That is the duty, the privilege, and the joy of the body of Christ!

“Father, we pray that Thou wouldst keep this truth ever embedded in our minds and in the fabric of our thinking. What glorious unity we can have with believers in Christ, what oneness, what fellowship! May we fellowship with the brethren as you have designed us to fellowship. And may we be reminded that we are of the same body. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.”