Young Adults' Group

A Personal Appreciation Of Oneness

by Pastor Mark
July 29, 2015

Oneness…something that is close to my heart

I like this theme on oneness. It is not just because we are gearing ourselves towards Bethany’s 40 + 2 Anniversary at the end of August. Oneness is something that I truly treasure…something that is close to my heart.

Why you may ask? The reason is because over these last 42 years, I have seen the oneness in Bethany being created by the Lord. Though this oneness has been challenged and threatened time and time again, it continues to be kept. While there is still room for us to forge this oneness further, the Lord has indeed preserved this oneness by His grace and mercy. I thank God for the oneness that we have here in Bethany.

But how do I personally understand the forging of oneness over the years?

1. Christ

Spiritual oneness can only exist in Christ. It is in the realm of being in Christ that we can forge this oneness. The Apostle Paul wrote, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Rom 12:5) We are one body in Christ. When we have faith in Christ, we become part of His body. It means walking in Christ and following His ways. But when we have someone who does something that is contrary to the ways of Christ, our oneness is threatened. We cannot find this oneness outside of Christ…only in Him. Let us all find oneness in Christ.

2. Connectedness

Oneness is also about being connected with each other. Paul wrote that we are connected as part of the body of Christ, “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,” (Eph 4:16) We are joined and knit together as bones and sinews into one connected system. We have to recognise how interconnected we are. If one member is unhealthy, it will not be able to function well…and thereby will affect other members of the body. Let us seek to do our part well as we minister to each other and find a greater sense of oneness

3. Camaraderie

Over the years, I come to appreciate how oneness exist because of the camaraderie we share with each other. Paul wrote concerning the Philippian church, “That you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” (Phil 1:27) I like this idea of standing fast as one. This is the spirit that I have seen forged between the church Session with members of Bethany over the years. It is with one mind that we strive together for the faith. There is a great team spirit as we serve together and look out for each other. Let us have a greater sense of camaraderie as members of Bethany. 

4. Choice

Ultimately, oneness is a choice. Whether we want to truly be part of the body of Christ, it is something that we have to choose. While we may be part of the body of Christ through salvation, we can still choose not be one with each other. We can be joined together and still not be knitted together. As for me, I choose to be part of Bethany and to stand as one with every member. This is how I have seen oneness forged over all these years. I will continue to regard this oneness as dear to my heart. Let us all choose to keep the oneness of Bethany.

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