Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 UNITY OF THE CHURCH FOR THE WITNESS OF LIFE

Ephesians 4 :1-6

V 2. Be always humble, gentle and patient. Show your love by being tolerant  with each other.

     The epistle of Ephesians exhorts everyone on the importance of unity of the church and how to live in community with tolerance.  Apostle Paul is explaining  here  the biblical and theological basis  for unity  among church members. In the first half of the epistle we  learn what  exactly the unity is and second half explains as to how it should be practiced.

       Verse 1 urges everyone to walk in unity because it is required by our  divine calling. Believers   are reminded that we share a common faith, hope, transformation, common blessings from one God whom we call Abba or the Father.  If we claim that all are the children of God in faith and love, unity is something interwoven into the foundation of Christian life. We have been called to life in Christ to be his children and his inheritance. He bought us for a price, so we are slaves to that master in all our  dealings. We are called  to live a holy and blameless life, a life of redemption,  a life of hope, to be part of God's family and therefore called to a life of unity with all fellow believers.

         Paul  continues to remind our that we have to live a life worthy of his calling, a walk that conforms to our new redeemed life in Christ, relinquishing our old self. It should reflect a transformation in Christ and with a unity which is consistent with the body of Jesus our Lord.  Walking in unity should be manifested and reshaped in our character, values, opinions and attitudes. Humility of mind enables everyone to respect each other as better. Gentleness or meekness also go hand in hand with our humble nature.

         Lastly the unity is based on our confession that we are guided by one body and one spirit, and the indwelling spirit of the Lord binds believers into one body. One God who is transcendent  over the church, is sovereign overall , should enlighten our hearts and minds with the power of  His spirit to lead us all in good deeds.  Amen.

PRAYER
Father God, we are estranged  from your divine calling, attitudes and knowledge of you. Give us strength  through your holy spirit to  manifest a life of unity among  fellow believers, and strangers alike.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY  
“We cannot expect the world to believe that Jesus' claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of oneness in true Christians”  . Francis Schaeffer.

Dr.John K.Thomas   Tabor MTC  Staten Island NY

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more