The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-12-01
WORLDWIDE CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP


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 a gathering
Of all Protestant churches in one
body. Such outward unity may be
impossible to attain, and in fact
might be quite undesirable il II 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 (that Is, all believers)
are united in Christ. We are:
1. In the World-but in Christ
(John 17:18-23).
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, ". 20) should
be taken out Of the world ". 49, 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 oneness about be-
levers ". Ply, not alone because
Of their good blessed as that may
beO, 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 baff1ed
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.
III. In the Church-but in Christ
Il Cor. 1:1-3).
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 a more wonderful
body of people nor more satisfying
opportunity for service than that af-
forded by the church.
The ones to whom Paul addressed
this letter were members of "the
church of God which is at Corinth,"
but they were what is of infinitely
greater importance, saints" Those
who had been sanctified, or set
apart from this wicked world, in
Christ Jesus.
This glorious distinction was not
theirs alone, but belonged to "all
that call upon the name Of the Lord
Jesus in every place" ". o.. Here
again we have that fellowship and
unity in the love Of Christ which
transcends all other relationships
and which ignores the boundaries Of
race, color, social position - yes,
even Of church membership.
No matter who or where another
believer may be, Jesus Christ is
their Lord and ours" ". q. One
could shout, "Halle1ujah-Praise the
Lordl" for such a delightful COM
munion Of all those who love Him.
III. In Service-but in Christ
Il Cor. 12:4-7, IL, 13).
God has work to be done in the
world. To accomplish that work, He
gives diverse gifts to men. How
wonderfully He endows and calls
men and blesses them in His serv-
icei We can think of nothing more
satisfying than to serve Him.
But even here we must keep in
mind that the important thing is that
we are not individual stars to shine
in our solitary glory. No indeed,
we are only part Of great plan
and purpose being carved out by
"the same Lord" ". 81. We are
called, commissioned and sent by
the one Holy Spirit ". y. We are
zone body" ". 12), baptized by the
Holy Spirit into that blessed rela-
tionship, and it is that body of Christ
which is at work in the world to do
His will.
Nor does that in any way mimi
mize the glory or the value Of what
we are called to do. On the contrary,
1t enhances our calling and en-
courages us to greater endeavor. We
are not alone. We are in the Lords
service, yes; but first of all we are
in Christ, and that means that
we move forward with a great
worldwide fellowship of those who