Unity In The Body Of Christ
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Father, what a privilege to be in the body of Christ and to be encouraged through the study of Your Word. Open my heart to understand what You have for me today in this devotion. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 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.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:1-7 NIV
REFLECT:
The apostle Paul wrote more of the books of the New Testament than any other writer. His books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were all written while he was held prisoner in Rome. As such, he refers to himself as a “prisoner” (Eph. 3:1, 4:1). However, he calls himself a prisoner of “Christ Jesus” (3:1) and “for the Lord” (4:1), not as a prisoner of Rome. Paul’s perspective was that nothing happens outside of God’s control and will for those who are in Christ Jesus. Even in his captivity, God was working through Paul for the building up of the unity of the body of Christ; all of those who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. To be called “Christian” is to be committed to “a calling.” A calling to live as Christ has called us to live. Through humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, peacemaking, hope, and grace we are one in body and Spirit. Not identical, not carbon copies, but one. “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love)” (origin unknown).
APPLY:
It is easy to talk about oneness and unity, but at times it is challenging to put into practice. Politics, programs, music styles, exclusions, inconvenience, misunderstandings, and other issues of life can cause us to be quick to speak and become angry or judgmental, instead of doing everything to promote oneness within the body of Christ. I encourage you to remember Paul in chains, a prisoner, yet rejoicing to share encouragement to the church. Take a minute to turn back a chapter in Ephesians and read over a couple of times his prayer for us as believers in Ephesians 3:14-21. You will be richly blessed. Power and love “together with all the Lord’s holy people” lead to “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” “I am so glad, I’m a part of the family of God…joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod. For I’m part of the family, the family of God. (Song by Bill and Gloria Gaither)
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Father, today I express my profound gratefulness for making me a part of the family of God here on earth and with all those believers who have gone before. Lead me today to be a committed and faithful fellow believer that builds up that family. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.