We are One in the Bond of Love

Ephesians 4-6

Unity of the faith is a really interesting thing. Paul begins talking about one God, one body, one baptism at the beginning of this passage in Ephesians. I always wonder what this means for our modern congregations. Is it okay for us to have a small group of Exodus-ites who don't completely agree theologically with Sugar Grove Church down the road, as long as we would work together with them if the need arose to serve the wider community? Is it okay that Sugar Grove has 500-600 people and River Oaks has 800 and so on and so on, and that these people will never worship together? What really does this unity of the faith mean?

But rather than philosophize about this Lord, I'd like to know what it means for me.

The part of this that strikes me as an individual is the sentence, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." When put in these terms, it seems that Paul is talking more on a relational level than an organizational level. When dealing with other members of the church, other individuals who love Christ, be humble, gentle, and patient. When we disagree or have different goals, bear with one another because of the love of Christ.

I like bringing it down to these relational terms. Because I believe Paul probably saw it this way. But also, I can relate because I deal with Christians every day who I can be tempted to be un-unified with. From the pastors of my own congregation to the students I see in my classroom at school, there are Christians who I am ready to cut off.

So, God, this metaphor of cutting things off has been working in my head for the last week. What are You trying to tell me. First the parable of the fig tree that gets a little bit more work, then this passage of bearing with one another. It seems to me that You might be drawing me somewhere. But how?

I could just launch into a series of questions for You. But I'll spare that to hear You talk to me instead. I am prepared to hear what You have to say.

Thank You for the day, by the way. I'm going to need your strength to stay up all night and "bear with" middle schoolers. But it is still a good day!