The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1944-11-30
WORLDWIDE CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP

LESSON TEXT-John 1889: l Corinthi'
ans 1:1.3; 12:4.7, ~, 13.
GOLDEN TEXT-Neither pray for these
alone but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word; that they all
may be one.-John 1920. 81
Unity among the believers in
Christ is much talked about and de-
sired by many in the church. They
seek a single Christian communion
in the world, or at least gathering
of all Protestant churches in one
body Such outward unity may be
impossible to attain, and in fact
might be quite undesirable if it did
not express a unity of spirit and of
true faith.
That fact, however, should not
hinder us from seeking worldwide
fellowship of all believers of every
race and creed in the unity of the
Holy Spirit. The true church, the in
visible body of Christ, is not di-
vided, even though its members are
scattered in many denominations.
We are reminded in our lesson
that whatever else may be true
about us, we Chat is, all believers)
are united in Christ We are:
l. In the WOrId-but in Christ
(John l7:18-23).
Even as Christ was sent of the
Father into the world to be the Light
of the World, so we are here in the
darkness of sin and sorrow to shine
as lights for Him Matt. 5:14-16).
He did not pray that His disciples
(and that includes us, v. 20) should
be taken out of the world ". 15) but
that they should be kept from sin
in the world.
So we are in the world But let us
never for a moment forget that
though we are in the world we are
also in Christ He will give us-in
fact He has given us-grace and
glory so that we may represent Him
in the world.
There is to be a oneness about be-
levers ". 2I, not alone because
of their good blessed as that may
bed, but in order that the world
may know and believe in Christ
wv. 81, 23). The obvious corollary
to that truth is that every evidence
of division and friction between
Gods children is an opportunity and
an excuse for the world to deny the
truth of the gospel.
Behold how these Christians
love one another" was the ba1I!ed
testimony of the pagan world in the
early days of the Christian church.
They could argue with their phi
losophy, and question their the
ology, but they had to admit that
something had happened to these
people which made them really love
one another.
ii. In the Church-but in Christ
Il Cor. :1-3).
The church, even in its outward
form of local assemblies and de.
nominations, has a place of great
importance in the world. One could
certainly not find more wonderful
body of people nor more satisfying
opportunity for service than that at.
forded by the church.
The ones to whom Paul addressed
this letter we're members of "the
church of God which is at Corinth, u
but they were what is of infinitely
greater importance, Saints those
who had been Sanctifed, or sci
apart from this wicked world, If
Christ Jesus.
This glorious distinction was moi
theirs alone, but belonged to "al
that call upon the name of the Lore
Jesus in every place" ". q. Here
again we have that fellowship anc
unity in the love of Christ which
transcends all other relationships
and which ignores the boundaries O.
race, color, social position yes
even of church membership.
No matter who or where another
believer may be, Jesus Christ i;
"their Lord and ours" ". D. One
could shout, "Halleluiah-Praise the
Lord" for such delightful com
munion of all those who love Him
iii. In Service-but in Chris
Il Cor. 12:4-7 IL, l3).
God has work to be done in The
world. To accomplish that work, HI
gives diverse gifts to men. How
wonderfully He endows and call:
men and blesses them in His serv
ice! We can think of nothing more
satisfying than to serve Him.
But even here we must keep il
mind that the important thing is tina
we are not individual stars to shin,
in our solitary glory. No indeed
we are only a part of a great plal
and purpose being carved out b,
"the same Lord" ". 81. We ar,
Lcalled, commissioned and sent b,
1.-THE one Holy Spirit w. y. We ar
lone body ". l2), baptized by tn
holy Spirit into that blessed rela
tionship, and 1t is that body of Chris
which is at work in the world to d.
His will.
Nor does that in any way mini
rnize the glory or the value of wha
we are called to do. On the contrary
it enhances our calling and en-
courages us to greater endeavor. w
J are not alone. We are in the Lord
service, yes; but first of all we ar
in Christ, and that means tina
we move forward with a grea
worldwide fellowship of those VIII
have like precious faith