7/17/13- The Basis for Oneness

 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord,one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)

Thoughts: Some say the basis for human unity and oneness is that we have one world and we are all in this together.  But the one world idea or one life raft also can lead to reasons for fighting over scare resources (cf. "Life of Pi"). Some try to organize or politicize the world into oneness- (like the European Union or U.N.).  While such concepts are noble, they usually do not bring anything but the figurehead of unity.  Others would say we have common enemies that should unite us- namely sickness and death.  Others pick smaller enemies- like ignorance or barbarianism (as we define it).  But such ideas originate with cultural pride.  Ignorance, savagery, have often been labels used by the practitioners of Colonialism, Communism, Nazism, and others who elevate their cultural pride with no solid reason than their own circular reasoning and selfish pride that degrade other human beings as valueless.
Others are a bit closer saying that the basis for unity is human love.  But, as seen today, many have problems defining real love.  If love is only sexuality, love can turn into lust, selfishness, and harm to self or others (as in STDs or adultery's destruction of family and harm to children).  Love and peace sound great, but they are empty words without a deeper basis.
Christians have the deep secret to unity found in the love and person of the One who gives life.  But we are still sinners who have a problem with listening to directions from this Creator and not dividing into little factions who think they alone have the truth.  In heaven, the invisible church will be seen for what it truly should be on earth- people of every country, tribe, language and culture (Revelation 5:9; 14:6).  The potential for human unity is found in the religion that promotes loving neighbor, turning the other cheek, and sacrifice (even more than inner peace).  There is a tie that binds hearts in Christian love that transcends all nations.  In fact Christianity is the only religion, the only philosophy that has adherents in every country int he world.  Surely this means the Christian faith has proven its ability to draw people from around the world together around a common faith.  Faith can be a God-given basis for oneness.  

Prayer:  May we as believers be one as you are one.  

Other thought: "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony... I'd like to give the world a coke and keep it company...It's the real thing."  Common likes/loves can be a basis for harmony- but coke is not enough.  This idea does point to a bigger idea that if we could commonly love God- it would unite us.