In Christ There Is No East Or West, ELW 650
In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find,
his service is the golden cord
close-binding humankind.
Join hands, companions in the faith,
whate'er your race may be!
Who loves and serves the one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
Devotion
As a young child, I was impressed that the members of my church were like-minded. Then, as I grew older, I became painfully aware of the many categories that divide us: race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, etc. As an adult, I sometimes grow weary of the controversies that divide the church.
Recently, a friend was confronted by a family member who took issue with the way she was living. Refusing to engage in a heated argument or to be labeled, my friend responded by saying, “I am a child of God, just like you.” The family member was left speechless.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds us that we are justified solely by what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that whatever human categories may describe us, they do not define us, "for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for claiming us as your children. Bind us together in love and service that inspire hope, change lives and build community throughout the whole wide earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.