Our Give Back Campaign ends this Thursday, March 12th. We thought it would be fun to release one of our new tees early to be a part of this campaign. When in the planning process for this tee, there was a ton of positive feedback and people were excited about the possible new release. So we have HIGH hopes that this tee will offer us a chance to Give Back even more to the Children's HopeChest.
When designing our next men's tee, we were nudged with this verse.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 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
And when you think of it, God has a sense of humor or, as always, he plans it all out perfectly. Okay... it's both. But what a great verse for this time of year! We are about to embark on the next presidential campaign. And while it is exciting for America, it can also be a time of great separation. Red vs blue. So while this verse definitely talks to the church, it can also be used to unite the country as a whole. And let's be real... our country desperately needs this message. Whether it's on political views, socioeconomics, race, culture... there is no better time to wear a tee that supports uniting as one human race. That's why we decided on just a bold, ONE. And does this design not make you glance a little longer and make you think?! Just like I said, God's perfect plan and humor.
But here is the real message behind the verse.
In this passage in Ephesians, Paul is calling us to unity in the body of Christ. Unity in the church. Ephesians 4:3 states to be united in the Spirit binding ourselves together in peace.
The body of Christ is made up of many individuals, all different and unique. Different cultures, life styles, and even values, and while we may not agree on every issue within the church, that is okay! We are to just keep the unity of the Spirit. We can disagree on things like the rapture or whether Jesus was born in a cave or a barn. But Paul states there are a few non-negotiables to unite on and those are what are truly essential to the faith and our salvation.
There is only one body or one church. While we may separate ourselves and call our church Evangelical, Lutheran, Reformed etc, there is but one church. Jesus’ church. And the beautiful thing is, you can’t join it but you can be born into it.
There is also one Spirit. And while that Spirit may move differently within the individuals of the body, it is the same. The same Spirit that works within each and every one of us; moving, interceding and guiding our lives. This same Spirit is the one that gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding and reassures but also gives us great power. For this Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the one that lives in us.
We also have one hope. And that hope is heaven with our one Lord and we are saved by one faith. And that faith is welcomed in by one baptism as we are made new in our one true God. The one God who is over all, in all and living through all.
Be reminded to live as one. Don’t let the little differences break the beautiful unity we have in Jesus. For all these that we are one in are all greater than any potential difference.
This ONE tee and all tees when purchased before Thursday, March 12th will get FREE SHIPPING and donate 35% of your purchase back to Children's HopeChest for the Give Back Campaign
Use code: MakeADifference
We pick up from the printers this week, so please note the photo above my vary slightly. Items will ship out Tuesday, March 17th