EPHESIANS 4:3-6

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

TO PONDER

For a little over thirty years my body was attacking itself, my immune system was misunderstanding signals it was receiving and as a result was attempting to destroy an otherwise healthy central nervous system. All the damage was happening hidden away, unseen from the outside, but none the less destruction of the central nervous system will eventually manifest in a myriad of symptoms that will eventually become obvious, even life threatening.

In today’s verses Paul is writing to the Ephesian church from prison and instead of urging them for their support in his difficulties he urges them in the previous verses “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” 

Paul wanted the church to understand that in a fallen world trying to keep God’s people captive, outwardly attacking the church, it was important to be a unified body, not a body attacking itself as a result of misunderstandings and unhealthy attitudes and pride. The Message Bible puts it this way “And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” 

Mixed signals and misunderstandings within a body can and does have serious consequences.

PRAYER:  Almighty Father, I thank you for your body, the church, you have placed me in. I repent for any pride, misunderstandings and judgements I have had towards my church family and ask you to help me be quick at mending fences.  Amen.