“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20 –21 (ESV)

I sometimes wonder what would happen if the Apostle Paul stepped out of a time machine. What would he think of the church culture? Would he be encouraged or discouraged? What New Testament letter would he demand we go read? Would he wonder how we went from THE church at Corinth or Thessalonica to 6 Baptist, the Roman Catholic church, a couple Methodist, some Church of Christ, a few non-denominational gatherings and more?

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.--- Romans 5:17 –18 (ESV)

Personal responsibility is a cornerstone of most of our thinking. 'I am responsible for me. I determine my success or failure. I am the captain of my own ship.' We might even be frustrated with those that blame a system for their failure.

For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. - 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)

There is a new classification of folks that have been identified in the church world - the de-churched. These are people who have been to church, maybe were even a part, but now have left. Asking these folks to return is a big ask. Often this is because they have been hurt by something or someone. Or they look at the news and read about the scandals. Or they didn't see anything of value in giving of their time, energy, and money to an organization. Maybe you aren't de-churched, but you might be 'under-churched'. You wonder if it is worth it. Or you feel a tinge of burnout or relational strain.

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! --- Psalm 110:1 –2 (ESV)

Our culture has a very limited picture of Jesus, doesn't it? He's the guy in a stain glass window. He's the one with a lamb around his shoulders. He's the kind teacher with a child sitting on his lap. He's the wandering peasant telling interesting moral stories to those around him. How well do these cultural versions explain the Christ of the scriptures?

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. --- Romans 5:18 –19 (ESV)

You can say that the story of the Bible is the story of two people. These two representatives are the head of two humanities, but they are not the same story. They go in opposite, unequal directions. Their stories define our story.

Do you ever feel like you can't come and worship God? Maybe you had a bad week. Maybe a specific sin seems to be undefeatable this week. Maybe life seems so tiring and suffocating that worship feels like one more thing.