The Need For Christian Unity
Scripture:
Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)
I, therefore, a
prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to
which you have been called, 2 with
all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There
is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs
to your call— 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:
Paul, in today’s scripture is
calling for the church at Ephesus to remain united in the cause of Christ. In
Revelation 2:1-7 we read the Apostle John’s description of what it’s victories
and challenges were. As Paul addressed them here it was clear that the greatest
enemy of the church did not come from outside its walls. Both apostles called
for the church members to love one another more fervently and to bond together
against the forces outside the church that would pull them apart.
These words could be written to the
church in the U. S. A. in the 21st century. Sure, we have problems
with those outside the church who would do us harm. However, we have as that
beloved comic strip character Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy and it is
us!” While it is true that we have many, many denominations and church splits happen
routinely. The cure for this problem is that we need to be more loving toward
our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are not united in love for one another,
we will be more easily defeated by our enemies outside our gates.
With the pandemic in our rearview
mirror, major challenges lie ahead for the church. We have all suffered from a
tragic loss of membership, both by death from the pandemic and by attrition. Rebuilding
the church will be a marathon not a sprint. We as Christian churches must not
waste time squabbling over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. As Paul says,
“we must walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called.” Christ seeks
his followers to be united in the “bonds of peace.”
If we can come together at this
crucial time, there will be a great harvest of souls for the kingdom. Polls are
reporting record low approval ratings not only for the church, but the media,
government (all 3 branches), even doctors, teachers, and scientists are
underwater in recent polling. The churches witness depends on our response to
the needs of a public that is hurting from betrayal by institutions it used to
trust. I remain hopeful that the church can respond to the need for a stable
source of truth that people can depend on. A faith that is real and active where
the world is hurting most.
Prayer:
Lord, heal our world. Signs of soul sickness
can be seen everywhere in our world today. Give us a heart of compassion to
help our neighbor in need. Help us to see with your eyes Lord those who are
hurting but do not show signs of weakness. Give us a heart of discernment to
meet needs where they exist. Above all, help us love and support each other in
the effort to rebuild the world. Thank you for your promise to be with us
always. Help us to rely on that promise daily. Amen.
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