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One Shepherd and One Flock

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:16

Ever noticed that some of the most judgmental people around you call themselves Christians? Methodists don’t trust Congregationalists, Baptists are wary of Pentecostals, and Catholics have doubts about Protestants. And Lutherans of course are perfect!? But listen to what Jesus said: “I have other sheep, not in this flock, and I must bring them also - there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” In the Book of Life God doesn’t record your denomination next to your name. In heaven, there are no labels! Of course you love your brothers and sisters, but like any family, aren’t there times when it might be easier if you weren’t related? But that’s never an option because as family you’re connected by blood. So if somebody has the right to call God their Father, you’d better treat them as your brother or sister, regardless of which church they attend. Why? Because you’re related by blood - the blood of Jesus. As Christians, God tells us to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Note: He doesn’t tell us to create unity, but to preserve it. Jesus prayed, “that all of them may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Religious division isn’t God’s idea; a divided body is a wounded and weak body. Ever consider what might happen if we discarded our labels and just called ourselves Christians? Maybe we wouldn’t need signs outside our churches to attract the lost, because they’d be drawn by the love of those inside. It’s worth thinking about, isn’t it?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to work towards what you wanted, one flock, united under one Shepherd. In Jesus’ Name, Amen