Striving for Unity

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 Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Devotion:

            To the naked eye it may appear that the church of Christ is very divided and individualistic. Paul in today’s scripture tells us that this is not to be the case. Jesus in the upper room just prior to his arrest and trial pleaded with the Father that those who believed in him would be one. So, has the prayer of Jesus failed to be effective? I argue that the church despite its apparent divisions today's church has more that unites us than divides us. We need to live into that oneness increasingly as the dark times of persecution fall over this land.

            Before we can begin to talk about unity, we must exhibit the character traits that lead to unity. We must cultivate humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, toward one another. These qualities will build peace between Christian brothers and sisters. Once we have the proper attitude toward one another we can proclaim our unity to greater effect.

            As for the specifics of doctrine, we may not be in unity in all places prior to the return of the savior when he cleanses the body, his bride in preparation for the great wedding feast of the lamb. However, when it comes to the basics of the faith such as the trinity, faith, baptism, and most importantly one Lord of us all. Most Christian assemblies are already close to agreement on these issues.

It is the devils work to make us look at the state of Christ’s church and shake our heads and think that we are not unified. The church scares the devil. The last thing the devil and his minions want to see is a church that united in belief of the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit truly practicing that faith side by side in the world. Satan’s kingdom is never in more peril than when the church lives, loves, and acts in unity in the world.

Let us then move toward recognizing the unity that we do have in Christ. Let us act on that unity in love and gentle strength. May we grow together as brothers and sisters united in the cause of proclaiming Christ and him crucified and resurrected to a world who needs to hear that message now more than ever before. Let us pray for that unity now.

Prayer:

            Lord, we are living in dividing times. The world is being carved up into many competing factions. Conflict is everywhere around us. Let us as your church bring healing and wholeness to our broken and divided world. May those who look at the church from the outside see us as a place of peace and mutual love and may we invite the world into our churches so that we can display that love. Help us to proclaim and practice peace. Amen. 


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