TOPIC: LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL (2)
SCRIPTURE:
EPHESIANS 4:1-3
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Patience comes over a long time of suffering. I doubt if anyone is patient who has never suffered physically, emotionally or spiritually in life. We learn patience through the things we suffer (Rom. 5:3). God is very patient with us and we need to become like him. “Bearing with one another in love” is how we respond to the unloving behavior of other Christians toward us. How do we “put up with one another”? What is our typical response when other people do us evil? What is my attitude when I see two Christians having problems in their relationships? What is my attitude toward problems in a church? Do I do as Paul suggests here, “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? (v. 3)
Paul is saying the Holy Spirit has already given us this unity when we put our faith in Christ. We are not called upon to create this unity, but to “keep the unity.” Pride destroys this unity in the Spirit. Over powering self-assertion destroys vital relationships with other believers. Being short-tempered, rude and not-extending our love to those who act ugly to us destroys all effort at keeping this “unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Churches grieve the Holy Spirit just as individuals do (4:30-31). Let’s be determined to “walk in the Spirit” and keep ourselves under his control.
PRAYER
I am a Living Expression of the Gospel by the Holy Spirit which Resides in me in Jesus name
