"No man is an island, entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee. " John Donne
poignantly point to all of mankind, but it cries to the body of Christ.
As Christians, we are called to be united as one body.
The bible, Gods Word, does not differentiate the body into multiple denominations each with their own set of problems.
We as believers, followers of Christ, Christians, are one body of Christ. When a part of the body is not performing well, then the whole body is effected. Something that you may do or decide not do, impacts the whole body. Something that you say or ignore to say will impact the body as a whole.
Psalms 90:12 instructs us to number our days that we may have a heart of wisdom. So, in essence, each day that we live should be fully lived with purpose.
I think of the loss of moral values, the lies amongst political leaders, terrorism, abuse of people, abuse of animals, abuse of our environment. Everything effects the other since we all share this planet . We are the product.
I think of the persecution of Christians . This is not something that is effecting "those" in other countries, states, cities...It effects all of us as Christians. When we lose one for our faith then "we" have lost a part of our body.
It should deeply grieve us to lose our brother or sister.
A part lost can leave a body divided.
Each day should bring us closer to Christ-likeness. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20
What does that look like?
It is seeing the world around us through the eyes of Christ. It is putting away jealousy, envy, pride, anger, resentment, bitterness, anger, and putting on love, humility, and kindness.
It is caring for the body as much as Christ cared for the body. It is taking care of what He created. It is being sad and grieved for the wrongs done to others, whether we know them personally or not.
And as the poem points out, we must realize that
the ring of the death bell never stays in the distance.
It is heard by everyone.
