For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free …

— 1 Corinthians 12:13

We need to have caring, and sharing, and burden bearing, and even rebuking and correcting in the church. We need to have affection demonstrated in love—in the love of the family of God. It all begins, however, in our reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.

His broken body and His shed blood are the means by which that oneness occurs—that ultimate perfect oneness when we are in Christ and together in Heaven. It is a oneness where there will never be the slightest ripple of division or dissension, when all sin will have been taken away forever. In heaven, we will enjoy forever with Him such a joy and a love in that fellowship and family and communion that we cannot even imagine it now!

Many of us have experienced the pain of separation. The world is full of different churches and denominations. From the Great Schism in 1054 onward, we have continued to divide. We are separated from fellow believers by everything from church splits to geographical distance. Nevertheless, the pain of separation and distance will one day be removed. How we long for that to happen!

Lord, make us one.

Question to ponder:
What pain of separation have you experienced? Does the hope of heaven help you overcome that pain?