One

 "He is the one we proclaim." Colossians 1:28 

    What if Jesus came to my church (or yours) this Sunday? Would He say, as He did to the churches in the book of Revelation, that we have endured hardships for His sake without growing weary? Are we ready to suffer persecution, even to the point of death, before receiving our victor's crown? Would He admonish us, as He did the church in Sardis, to wake up and strengthen what remains? Would He find us faithful?

    Or will He see division among the denominations? When He searches our hearts, what will He find? Lukewarm faith? Biblical illiteracy? Quibbling over doctrine when we should be proclaiming the Gospel?

    Franklin Graham, speaking in an interview, said he found the church in Africa to be stronger than the church as a whole in America. When asked why, Graham declared it is because they have an uncompromising, unflinching focus on teaching the Word of God. 

    Regardless of peripheral differences within the churches that proclaim Christ crucified, what would happen if believers worked as one body, united and adopted by the Father? What if we joined together in contention for the Gospel, as they did in the early church? 

    In an interview, Tim Tebow lamented that, the only time the churches in his home town gathered together in one accord was when the Billy Graham Crusade came to town. After it was over, they all returned to their corners.

    When we all get to heaven, will there be separate neighborhoods designated for Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans or Catholics? No, the bible says there will be a great multitude from every tribe, nation and language standing before the throne in undying worship. If we, then, will be united as such for eternity, why do we not live this way now? 

    Envision a worldwide rally, a revival, of all tribes and nations coming together with Jesus Christ as our Head! What a difference we would make. 

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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: 3-5