There is one body and one Spirit, (Eph 4:4 NIV)

God’s Church is alive in one Spirit and vitalized by the same. If on account of this word also confess that just as there is only one Lord, so there is also just one faith and not just a plurality of faiths and creeds, then most people today believe that this is an illusion which will not be realized in our lifetimes. Yes, they might even call us fanatics, who can not abide in humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace. The figure “one” is just unbearable to them. They say that this “oneness” causes strive, conflict and war. A conglomerate and mixture of faith in global pluralism and totality seems to be the only attainable goal. Every teaching is to be tolerated and we should not be so narrowly fixated on one holy and divine truth – they tempt us. Why should we be disconcerted and dismayed, even put off – while we’re moving with a good conscience on the path dictated by the Holy Spirit and his biblical revelation in the Old and New Testament. There is but one God. Therefore – as truly as he is alive and in control – there is but his truth: one! Consequently one holy doctrine and one pure faith too. This is and remains true even on the Day of Judgement. Let them argue and dispute – these enemies of the Church. They are the ones opposing the divine unity, because they reject the divine truth. They are enemies, because they attack the one, sole body of Jesus Christ: the Church. Bear them – as you can. Excuse whatever can be excused without sinning and lying. Practice love in truth – and be content. It will not change – at least not before the end.

Oh Father of mercy and God of all grace. You rule and heal our hearts. Keep peace and promote unity and strengthen your Church against large and small enemies trying to corrupt her. Grant her your Holy Spirit – in richest measure, the Spirit of peace and communion, so that we as your children and saved elect strive for faithful unity and Concordia in your truth. Overcome and discard all that opposes your will and seeks to drive us apart. Help us to reach your heavenly kingdom in which your peace and righteousness reign in eternity. Amen. (A. Hermann)

Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.

Cast care aside, upon thy Guide, Lean, and His mercy will provide; Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove Christ is its Life, and Christ its Love.

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near, He changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe, and thou shalt see That Christ is all in all to thee. (John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the seventeenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 337 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.