Today’s Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 KJV
Where there is unity, we find love. A love that brings peace.
It does not matter what the situation is.
It does not matter what our social or ethnic backgrounds may be.
We find comfort in each other during our times of trouble.
Unity has great meaning.
The joy it brings is what we hope for.
But it will only come when we stand on the Word.
When we understand how to manage things.
When we learn not to let anything steal our joy.
We know that the Father has a concern for all His children.
And as members of the family, He desires us to live in unity.
That we endeavor to keep a state of oneness, harmony, and love.
We have a God-given oneness.
One that does not care about our social or ethnic backgrounds.
It is grounded in love.
A love that the Father freely gives.
A love that we should freely give to one another.
Boundless joy will always be found when we do things according to His Word.
But we know it is not always easy for some to do this.
Those are the times when the Holy Spirit steps in.
Reminding us of how the Lord wants us to manage things.
In this passage, Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus.
He was encouraging all Ephesians to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1 KJV).
To remember to be the person God had called them to be.
To not let the world cause them to do otherwise.
That in all things they should be “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 KJV).
To always make the effort to keep peace amongst themselves.
That the Holy Spirt was there to help them do it.
The more they abided by the Word they would develop humility.
Helping to show gentleness, and patience.
“Forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2 KJV).
Even when they felt they had been wronged.
The same holds true in our lives today.
As children of God, we encounter times when we do not agree.
We all have our separate ways of seeing things.
Those are the times where despite our differences, we continue to give respect to each other.
To “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirt through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 KJV).
To remember to be the person God has called us to be.
To always make the effort to keep peace amongst us.
That keeping and restoring relationships are important.
While we yet live and breathe, it is possible.
Through the Word, this is happening every day.
Let us continue to grow in gentleness.
Having patience towards one another.
Keeping a bond of peace.
Something we all should desire in life.
It is ours for the asking.
The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives makes it possible.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we are thankful that Jesus died for the sins of us all. That He did not do it based on our social or ethnic backgrounds. He did it out of love. Showing us the need to grow in gentleness and patience towards one another. To show love to one another. To live in unity. Help us to continue to receive Your teaching on how to keep this unity. Thank You for showing us to love others, even when we may have differences. Knowing it will only come when we stay united in the Spirit.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen