One Lord, One Service

The Lord is one, and therefore the heart must not be divided. The command to love Him with all the heart is not fulfilled by speech alone, but by a life ordered under His rule: His words taught diligently, His fear kept across generations, His worship guarded from rivals. Clement says, “Hear, it is said, O Israel; the Lord your God is one, and Him only shall you serve.” Where the one God is confessed, strange gods must be refused—not only carved idols, but every appetite, fear, and ambition that asks for obedience.

Yet Psalm 89 reminds us that covenant mercy does not make disobedience light. God keeps steadfast love, but He also corrects His children. Cyprian writes, “then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes.” Jeremiah shows how long the Lord endured His people: He sent prophets early, calling them to turn from evil, yet they would not hear. Judgment did not come because God was hasty, but because the people were stubborn.

Acts shows the better way. When murmuring arose, the church did not hide the need of neglected widows behind pious words. They appointed proven men, full of the Spirit and wisdom, so that prayer, preaching, and daily service would each be honored. Stephen’s fullness of faith was seen not in idle profession but in steadfast work, grace, and courage before hostile men.

So let us serve the one God with an undivided life: holding fast His word, receiving correction without complaint, and caring for the needy with clean hands. The church’s worship and the church’s tables both belong to Him.