One union matters more than any political one—the body of Christ. Today, we're discovering what true union looks like and why the state of believers is always stronger than the state of any nation.
[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, rightly dividing the word of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives. You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast. And now here's Elgin.
[00:01:02] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, to another edition of The Bible Speaks. Today's episode is titled, The State of the Union. But we're not discussing politics. We're examining the state of Christ's body and what it means for believers regardless of who sits in power.
[00:01:29] Our text is Romans chapter 15 verse 1. And from the New International Version it reads, We who are strong are to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. One union matters more than any political one. The body of Christ.
[00:01:54] So today, we're discovering what true union looks like and why the state of believers is always stronger than the state of any nation. Let us pray. Father God, help us understand that we are part of one body, connected to every believer. Remind us that you are in control regardless of who holds earthly power. Make us diligent in supporting one another in every area of life.
[00:02:23] Teach us that when we care for our neighbors as ourselves, you multiply blessings in our lives and theirs. In Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen. If we believe that we are part of the body of Christ, then we understand that each part should care for the others. 1 Corinthians 12 and 12 reads,
[00:02:48] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. When your physical body is healthy, every part functions well. But when one part is injured or sick, the whole body is affected.
[00:03:12] You can't say, my foot is infected, but that's not my problem because I'm the hand. The infection affects everything. That's how the body of Christ operates. The whole is affected by the health of the individual parts. When believers in your community are struggling, the entire body suffers. When they thrive, the entire body benefits.
[00:03:39] You cannot be spiritually healthy while ignoring the suffering of other believers. 1 Corinthians 12 and 26 confirms, And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. Or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now here's what's crucial. No matter who is in the White House or Congress, God is in control.
[00:04:09] Proverbs 21 and 1 declares, The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. As the rivers of water, he turneth it whithsoever he will. Presidents come and go. Congressional majority shift. Political power transfers. But God's sovereignty never changes. He's not anxious about elections. He's not surprised by policy changes.
[00:04:38] He's sovereign overall. This doesn't mean we ignore civic responsibility. We vote. We engage. And we advocate. But our hope isn't in political parties or human leaders. Our confidence is in God's control. Daniel 2 and 21 reads,
[00:05:09] God's purposes will be accomplished regardless of who's in office. Because of this, we are to be diligent in our support of one another in all forms of life. Not just spiritual support. All forms. All forms. From business to education to religion and quality of life. This is a comprehensive care for the whole person.
[00:05:37] This is what Romans 15 and 1 means when it reads, We who are strong are to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. When you're strong, you have responsibilities toward those who are weak. Not to judge them, but to bear with them and support them. When we become as concerned with our neighbors as ourselves,
[00:06:03] We also allow God to multiply blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we touch. This is a kingdom economy. Your concern for others becomes the channel through which God blesses you. When you invest in your neighbor's success, God invests in yours. When you lift others up, God elevates you. When you multiply blessings for them, God multiplies blessings for you.
[00:06:33] But here's the ultimate understanding. We're heirs with Jesus. Romans 8 and 17 declares, And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Joint heirs. Joint heirs. Same inheritance. Same future. Same glory.
[00:07:04] So the state of the union for believers is awesome. Not because circumstances are perfect. Not because politics align with our preferences. Not because the economy is strong or the culture is friendly. The state of our union is awesome because we're connected to Christ. We're heirs with him. And we're guaranteed an inheritance that cannot be shaken.
[00:07:31] We just need to trust God and the process until it's revealed. Hebrews 11 and 1 defines faith as, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. What we hope for, full redemption, complete healing, and total restoration is in Christ's return. But we have to trust the process.
[00:07:59] So regardless of what the political state of the union address says, here's the spiritual state of the union for believers. We are one body connected to Christ. We are heirs with him. We are guaranteed an inheritance. We are called to support one another comprehensively. We serve a sovereign God who controls all things.
[00:08:24] And we're trusting his process until everything he promised is fully revealed. That's the state of our union. And it's better than any political union could ever be. Heavenly Father, thank you that our union in Christ is stronger than any political union. Thank you that regardless of who's in the White House or Congress, you remain sovereign.
[00:08:52] Help us remember that we are part of one body and that each part should care for the other. Make us diligent in supporting one another in business, education, religion, and quality of life. When we become as concerned with our neighbors as ourselves, multiply blessings in our lives and theirs. Remind us that we are heirs with Jesus and that the state of our union is awesome.
[00:09:21] Help us trust you and the process until everything is revealed. In Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen. I thank you for spending time with me on today and I look forward to our conversation on next Sunday. Until then, God bless. The Bible Speaks is sponsored by C Squared Realty
[00:09:50] and New Gen Construction Group to help spread the gospel to the corners of the earth. If anything you've heard poured into your life, please share it with someone. You can find The Bible Speaks on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and many more. Follow us on YouTube at The Bible Speaks Online. You may contact Elgin
[00:10:19] at P.O. Box 5582 Ocala, Florida 34478 or by email at thebiblespeaksonline at gmail.com