Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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United in Christ’s Love   
Mathew Jojin Thomas
Bethany MTC, NY
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.” (Ephesians 4: 2-3)
 
Paul is writing this letter with the purpose of strengthening the believers in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ. He is saying that we must be completely humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love. We may ask what exactly is love? A perfect definition of love can be seen in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, where it says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” A question that we must ask ourselves is: Are we  patient with one another ? Are we kind?  Do we envy or do we boast? Are we the definition of Christ’s love?

It is good to talk about the love of God, but it’s better to be a display of the love of God. Paul is saying that we must make every effort; he doesn’t say some effort. He is saying that we must make every effort to keep the unity. One of the important roles of Holy Spirit is to build unity. Holy Spirit is available to all and Holy Spirit will lead us but we must be willing to be led and we must do our part. V1 says “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

I was having a conversation with few of my friends the other day regarding the purpose of life and how it would have been easier if our purpose was just given to us or if it was picture clear to us. Seeking our purpose itself is one of the purposes of life. No matter who we are, our calling is to follow Christ and lead a Christ like life. He came to the world to bring unity to this divided world. We are hearing about division in the society and Church now more than ever. As a follower of Christ, we must bring unity to our society and Church but we need to keep in mind that  without humbleness and gentleness, unity cannot be obtained. Jesus himself established unity and gentleness as virtues. He healed the sick with God’s power and He treated people with gentleness. He was and is there for the one who is weary and burdened. He said to them, in Mathew 11: 28-29:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” We don’t become a Christian by going to Church every Sunday, we become a Christian by our acts.

PRAYER

Good and glorious God, You are the Father of all, who is over all and through all. Please help us to be humble and gentle. Help us to be patient and give us a heart to bear with one another in love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
A question that we must ask ourselves is: Are we being patient? Are we kind?  Do we envy or do we boast? Are we the definition of Christ’s love?

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