Our wondrous walk with the Lord is a mystery. Paul shared this truth with us, “ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,” (Romans 16:25) and “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” (1 Corinthians 2:7). Paul had much to say about this glorious mystery; of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16 ), the mystery of faith (1 Timothy 3:9), the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19 ), the mystery of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32 ), and so much more. I really like knowing I serve a God I cannot figure out.

But, our heavenly Father desires we come to know Him in an intimate way. For us to know Him we must seize every moment to be quiet before Him to hear His voice, to commune with Him in words so that we can know each ours heart, and we must study His word so that we will know the truth. Now studying is not reading nor is it browsing. Studying means studying. Paul commanded Timothy, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:14-15) Studying means studying. Always remember, the truth in the word of God is contained in the words as the precious Holy Spirit reveals the hidden mysterious hidden meaning to us. “ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13) As we study the Word of God the Holy Spirit will be able to bring to us the revelation and enlightenment of God and His ways to our understanding. The words contain the truth and we must study the words to know the truth. And the more we study the word of God the more we will be able to walk in unity and oneness of purpose. This unity and purpose is a big deal to God. Paul tells us, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:“ (Ephesians 4:13) I wonder why the church does not seem to think it is important? Here Paul lets us know the measuring stick for spiritual maturity in our lives; “unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (selfless) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:“ David in the Psalms shares this encouragement, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1) But, as I travel around the world I see the Body of Christ (the Church) divided and fractured along doctrinal and denominational lines. Dear friends this ought not be. In the real Lord’s Prayer (John 17) Jesus prayed, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:22-23) The word, “one” is almost always in the Bible translated “unity.” God’s heart for His children and for His Body (which is made from all of His children) is for us to be “one” body and in “one” Spirit. Paul again helps us here, “ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5) We are many people, but in reality we are to be “one” in all we do and say for God.

This “one body” again and again is repeated (1 Corinthians 12:12 , Ephesians 2:16 , Ephesians 4:4, Colossians 3:15 ) to drive this critical point home. Even in the example of what we call the Lord’s Supper or the Communion Table can we find this example of “one” body.” Now I really like the Lord’s Supper example. Not because of the symbolic meaning of the bread and wine to Christ (which is true and so wonderful), but because it is always seen and projects into a setting of strife, division, and confusion. In 1 Corinthians 11:17 -22) we find the church in great division, heresies, and strife. Paul said of the Church in Corinth , (1 Corinthians 11:17 ) that they gather together for the worse then the better. So like today in many churches. After sharing the Lord’s Supper (in Mark 14:22 -24 and Luke 22:17 -20) the Disciples learn the Shepherd will be struck that night, the sheep will be scattered, and it was so. But the best example is in Luke were we find, during the Passover meal, there arose a strife and ambition in the Disciples, “ And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” (Luke 14:23-24) Yes the Communion Table is always set in great strife and division. I believe this is God’s main purpose in the Communion Table; whereby providing a coming together by which the Body of Christ can be restored back to fellowship with God and man into “one body” (the Body of Christ) and into unity. I do not believe Jesus was establishing an ordinance for the Church to follow weekly, monthly, or whenever, but used the opportunity of dining together during the Passover to teach a lesson of restoration and unity among the Brethren. In 1 Corinthians we see this truth revealed in the word “remembrance.” I am sure the translators of the Bible had a hard time with this one. Here in 1 Corinthians Paul uses the word “remembrance” Strong’s #364, which means a remembering. Now I am not sure, but I would not be to surprised to learn Paul was not talking about the word “remembrance” (Strong’s #5279) which means; recall to mind or bring to remembrance as John and other Disciples often used, but a remembering or again bringing the members of the Body of Christ together into “one body,” Christ’s. Remember, Paul was not at the original Passover meal. This could be why Paul used a different word, to convey a different meaning. A re or again bringing the many members of the Body of Christ together into unity and oneness of purpose and effort. “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance (bringing the many members of the Body of Christ together into unity and oneness of purpose and effort ) of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance (bringing the many members of the Body of Christ together into unity and oneness of purpose and effort) of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).