All for one and one for all

The fastest men in the history of athletics, running in the relay heats in 1992 were MIKE MARSH, LEROY BURRELL, CLARENCE MITCHELL and CARL LEWIS. In the Barcelona Olympics they ran the 400m (4x100m.) in 37.4 seconds.

During those Games all four runners publicly showed their love for the Lord Jesus.

During the early years of Christianity, the Lord's followers behaved in a radical manner. History tells us that they had all things in common.

This means that they did everything together: they prayed together, helped each other economically, they divided out between them their plans and tasks, and as one they shared in each other's joys and sadness.

The people of that time recognised the communion that existed between them, so much so that they referred to them as turning the world upside down!

Christianity is the only society in the world that can say this - that its members are of the same mind. God has made provision for irreconcilable enemies to come before him in worship, and to have his love for one another.

When inter-racial relationships were prohibited in various countries, God achieved it within his church. Men and women of every race, of every social class, management and workers, kings and their subjects, rich and poor, from different countries, cultures and backgrounds... no-one else has managed to unite such a diversity of mankind.

Only the power of the gospel of God has done this, even in countries where belief in God is prohibited by law. No-one has forgiven so much,no-one has given so much for his fellow man, no-one has managed to create such a bond of brotherhood and friendship as God has done for the church.

It is all because God has taught us to be of the same mind.

Yes, it is 'all for one and one for all', with the only aim to reach as many people as possible with the gospel. Jesus himself said that when we work in unity, the world will believe in his words (John 17).

The message is clear: united in the proclamation of the love of God, and under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit...we can transform the world!

Nothing has broken the chains of evil so much as the unity of the children of God... and there are victories still to be won together with Christ, because the power of God has not run out.