Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Grace for growth in the body of Christ

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-16

Key verse:  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
 
DEVOTION

In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul talks about unity and maturity in Christ. Paul reminds us that we have been called forth by Christ Himself and by virtue of that calling, we are different from others. Our thoughts, words and actions must reflect the change that has come to be because we are followers of Christ. We must be patient, humble and gentle in our dealings and love must reign supreme in all our actions. When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see that He usually sought those who were neglected and who were living on the outer fringes of society. Christ cared with compassion, understanding and a gentleness that showcased His love for man. In Psalm chapter 8, David asks, “what are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them?”. Yet it is by God’s grace that we have been called, set apart and given a gentle, caring, compassionate nature so that we reflect His love through us. 
Grace that has been bestowed upon us and the gifts that have been given to us are not for us to boast and consider ourselves superior to others, but rather to humble ourselves so that we may treat each other with the love that Christ has for us. We are all part of the same body in Christ and though we may have different functions, the only way the body becomes whole is when we treat each other with kindness and keep peace between us. It is very easy to be angry with those who do not subscribe to our ideologies; however, a true Christian is patient with his brothers and listens to them with compassion, gentleness and without judgement. 

These days we are surrounded by news of unrest, conflict and war. War between countries, conflicts internally within nations and unrest in people’s minds. The fear of impending doom is the sentiment of the present and there seems to be no hope in sight. However, when we reflect on Ephesian chapter 4, we are reminded that we as Christians are not to be tossed over by the hostile currents of today’s world but we have been commissioned to build a world that is held together by Christ’s teachings and bound together by His love. Just as a body with many different parts is held together by its different joints so we must be joined together in Christ’s love. May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ abide in and among us forever, Amen. 
 

PRAYER

Lord, strengthen us with Your love and enrich us with Your grace. Forgive us when we hasten to judge others without inspecting our true inner selves. Fill us with Your compassion and love so that we may nurture and encourage those around us thus helping us all to grow together as one body in You. Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Without love and compassion for others, our own apparent love for Christ is fiction." - Thomas Merton


Susan Cherian Varghese
Epiphany MTC, NY

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