Rope Climbs and God

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

A few months ago, a couple other guys and I were practicing rope climbs at the gym. I believed I had the proper technique and I wanted to share it. I felt they weren’t doing it right and so, I tried to convince them to do it my way. The only problem was that they were faster and better than I was. Maybe my technique was superior. Maybe it wasn’t. Either way, I was a poor ambassador for it, because I didn’t do it well enough to convince anyone that they should switch to my way.

This is what I was reminded of in reading today’s passage. In it, Paul commanding us to seek unity by insisting that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Christianity teaches monotheism – that there is only one God – and that faith in Christ is the only path to him.

This is seen by the world as an arrogant, elitist view. As such, it’s rejected by many for its narrow-mindedness. In response, as Christians, we often feel compelled to argue for Paul’s monotheism. You must believe as I do! We believe there is one way to God and, because we want others to know him too, we try to point the way to him, frequently arguing and debating about it.

The only problem is that we aren’t always very good ambassadors for our faith. Yes, we believe in one God, but we live as though there are many. The one faith that Paul taught must consume our lives as we follow God above all else. Instead, however, we follow our own will, making a god out of our own plans, desires, and appetites. We say we believe in one God, but we live just like everyone else.

Why then, would anyone want to follow our way? What evidence is there that ours is any better? People notice how we live. If we desire to convince anyone that faith in Christ is necessary, then our lives must show how that faith has transformed us for the better. We must live out our belief that there is one God above all. In following him and knowing him, we will be radically changed. Our transformed lives will be apparent to all and that is the best argument for God that we will ever make.