All For One

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

-- Ephesians 4:4-6

         

When it comes to relationships, do you believe that opposites attract? Or is it more your experience that birds of a feather flock together?

For those in a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus Christ, the answer really is both. For example, one of the most reassuring truths revealed in the Bible is that God wants to be in a personal, loving relationship with us regardless of gender, race or nationality. It doesn't matter who you are, where you've been or what you've done. Everyone is welcome to accept God's free gift of forgiveness and live a changed life as a Christ-follower. Our past failures no longer matter and can be forgiven and forgotten. We can become new creations who are born again.

Meanwhile, opposites do attract in this spiritual relationship, and you can see that in action in just about any Bible-believing church. For example, at Velocity Church in Richmond, VA, we worship among fellow believers of different ages, political viewpoints and nationalities. And we also see things differently when it comes to sports. Some of us love the Redskins while others root for the Cowboys. There's also a healthy mix of fans supporting Virginia Tech, UVA, James Madison and VCU. 

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body," we read in 1 Corinthians, "whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Indeed, for all of their differences, Christ-followers at Velocity and around the globe share at least one thing that unifies them--and sets them apart from all creation. It's their common, fervent belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And it's this same distinction that helps us share the joys and overcome the struggles, disappointments and even tragedies that we all face along our unique faith-journeys.

As a diverse group of Christ-followers in a single, incredible relationship, we're by definition all for One. But what's more important is that we also know the One who's for us all.