4^th November

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Ephesians 4:2-3

We are not spare parts, but needed parts of God’s universal body, the church, His bride. In order for the church to function effectively, YOU are a necessary part. Yet as Paul alludes to, unity doesn’t just come naturally. It takes work. It takes ‘every effort’ to stay united in the Spirit. The church is such a special place; a place that welcomes all people, of all ages, all races, all backgrounds and all genders. A place that is not bound by four walls or by human organisation. From the ‘super Apostles’ to the newest believers, we are all equal in the eyes of God. We are a body that on paper, shouldn’t work. Yet, united in the Spirit, we cannot be separated. There is an omnipotent power at work, keeping the unity of believers strong. Yet it takes effort from us too.

As Paul says, we must be humble and gentle with each other. We must be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of perfect love. That means if someone does or says something to hurt or upset us, we must work through it in love and peace to keep unity. That means that the Spirit of peace must always be alive and active in us, ‘the church’! Is this just so we can have a happy life or worship together and always be joyful? Well, partly yes, but more importantly, because we are a reflection of perfection; the perfection in the unity of the Godhead. If we are to show the world the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit through our lives, then we need to make sure that our lives reflect their unity, which is perfection. Let us make every effort to be united in the Spirit, who keeps us together and helps us reflect the Godhead.