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This is part of a series of posts based on the Churches Together in England publication one light: one world. If you click on the link you will find the biblical texts. This post of the same name covers the purpose of this series.
Ephesians 3: 14 - 16
The author prays for the church, that according to the riches of God's glory ... you may be strengthened ...
God's glory is the means by which we know God is present. God's glory is in the united community. To overcome divisions and function as a community, despite very real differences, is a sign of God's real presence.
We sometimes expect God to be manifested in miracles, defying the laws of nature. With these expectations, we lose sight of what God is actually saying or doing. When belief in miracles or hell becomes more important than the love we have for one another, something is wrong. When I criticise someone for being literalistic about the Bible, I am forgetting the pre-eminence of love.
The challenge, and the reason we all need to be strengthened, is learning to love with integrity. It is easy to feel I need to compromise my beliefs for others. Our challenge is to love others whilst remaining faithful to the vision of God each of us has experienced.
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