It has been said countless times: “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Yet, though it be a well-worn phrase, the truth still remains! The message of the Cross does a marvelous thing in the lives of those who receive it by faith. The call of the Gospel is not a call to a particular group of people, but rather, it is a call to all people everywhere to repent and believe on Christ! The Gospel transcends cultural differences, economic standings, and one’s position in society.
And the reality of this truth is seen in the family of God! There is only ONE way of salvation and that is through faith alone in Christ alone. And all who will be saved must come this way or be lost eternally in Hell. Any who will come must come by the way of the Cross, the way of faith, the way of the ‘new birth’ to enter God’s forever family. Regardless of one’s language, ethnicity, social standing, economic status, all must come by the way of the Cross if they are to be saved and receive the gift of eternal life. Within the family of God there is much diversity in the people represented, yet there is one common theme in the life of each person. That common theme is faith in Christ as Lord and Savior!
This truth is illustrated in the short book of Philemon. Philemon is unique in that is was written to an individual rather than a local church or churches. Paul wrote this brief letter to a man by the name of Philemon. Philemon had a slave by the name of Onesimus who had run away from him and ended up in Rome. While in Rome, Onesimus was saved under the ministry of Paul and became a valuable help to Paul in his ministry. However, Paul felt an obligation to reach out to Philemon regarding Onesimus letting him know that Onesimus was now a Christian. In his letter, Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back again, not as a mere servant, but as a brother in Christ. Paul urged him to receive him “not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord” (Philemon 1:16). Paul tells Philemon that his relationship with Onesimus has changed. He went away as a rebellious, runaway servant, but he was now returning as a beloved brother in Christ. Therefore, he was urged to receive him. Philemon and Onesimus were now brothers in Christ, unified in the gospel.
There is a special bond between those who have been saved by God’s grace regardless of their standing in the eyes of the world. There is a special unity between those who are brothers in Christ that this world knows nothing of. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Within a local church there are many people represented. There are many backgrounds, preferences, occupations, and social standings. However, when a church keeps its eyes on Christ and the mission Christ has given it, there is a sweet pleasantness as we dwell together in the unity of the faith and focus on both propagating the faith and contending for the faith. Charles Spurgeon once said, “As to brethren in spirit, they ought to dwell together in church fellowship, and in that fellowship one essential matter is unity. We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity: oneness of life, truth, and way; oneness in Christ Jesus; oneness of object and spirit –these we must have, or our assemblies will be synagogues of contention rather than churches of Christ.” The more a church is unified in truth and purpose, the more pleasant the fellowship will be!
~Pastor Aaron Francis
