7/19/13- The Oneness of the Sacraments

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 4:4-6)

Thoughts: There is one baptism and in the last supper there is one body and one cup.  The importance of oneness is essential in the signs of God's covenant promises to us.  The covenant promises found in baptism are that we would be initiated into the body- becoming a part of the people in baptism. We have a shared cleansing and a shared name placed upon us in baptism.  The promise found in the supper is that we have the body and blood of Christ given for us that we might have a shared forgiveness.
    What makes the betrayal of Judas so awful is that he shared in the supper but rejected the gracious benefits of it.  When the baptized do not follow the one in whose name they are baptized, they too reject the promises of God.
     But when we mix faith with the sacraments- we become one family, one body.  So we become brothers and sisters when we have faith under the water of baptism, under the blood and sacrifice of Christ.  There is a oneness of the body of faith that is shown in the sacraments.
     Faith without the sacraments is enough to enter into heaven, but not enough to be who we are fully called to be- one with the people of God. 

Prayer: May I see how important is my taking part in the sacraments is to the oneness of your people Lord.