Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 

One Calling, One Spirit, and One Body

Bible Reading: :Ephesians 4:1-7

Key verse:  

Verses 4-6:  “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.”

DEVOTION

The book of Ephesians hits on a wide range of moral, ethical, and spiritual behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling.  The theme of the first part of chapter 4 is “Unity in the Body of Christ.”  The apostle Paul encourages the believers in Ephesus to live in a new way instead of idol worship, immorality, and foolish philosophies.  He was urging them to follow a life worthy of the calling by emulating Christ’s humility, gentleness, and patience actively striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  It also means modeling the very life of Jesus Christ.  This is a call not only to the then believers in Ephesus, but to each one of us who claim to be the followers of Jesus Christ.
Pursue Your Calling:  Paul urged the believers to “walk” right, which refers to one’s conduct, attitude, or lifestyle.  It is a profound metaphor for the Christian life, denoting strength, balance, and progress.  You cannot run for Jesus until you learn well enough how to walk.  Walking worthy means aligning your life with the gospel by embodying humility, gentleness, and patience, even when it is unpopular or difficult.  Your actions should be a tangible reflection of your faith and the grace you have received.  Don’t just talk the talk, live the walk.
I remember reading about Princess Margaret’s first introduction to the British public by her mother, Queen Elizabeth.  She sat beside her mother, during the young princess’ first presentation to them.  When she was called upon to address the gathered dignitaries, her mother leaned over and said, “You are a princess.  Walk like one.”  This is exactly our calling as well.  “Calling” and “called” refer to the divine call to salvation (1 Peter 2:9).  
Walk in Spiritual Unity:  We live in a world mostly ruled by the modern technology like AI, where individuality is preferred rather than togetherness - unity.  But the Bible teaches us the opposite.  The psalmist David said, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).   Unity is not passive; it requires active effort to maintain it through the bond of peace.  The unity of the Spirit already exists through Christ.  The call is to actively preserve what Jesus has already given, not to create it.  The unity is built on humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love, especially when disagreements arise.  Spiritual unity is the result of spiritual maturity.  Spiritual maturity is Christlikeness.  It is about how you act and react.
Recognize Your Shared Oneness:  Deepen your understanding of the foundational oneness you share with all believers:  one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father.  There is only one Church, and only One person who has the right to say it My Church, and that is Jesus Christ.  Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Everyone who is born again by the Spirit of God is a member of that One Body —  Christ.    

PRAYER

Gracious Father, thank you for building your church - the community of believers - with different stones of shapes and sizes, and making each one secure as you are the cornerstone.  Help us as your redeemed children to live in unity for the glory of your kingdom.  Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We are members of Jesus Christ’s body, a blessed family;
so let’s not disrupt the unity, but live in harmony


Daniel Thomas
Orlando MTC, Florida