Ephesians Chapter 4

Verse 2 “‘Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.'” (NLT) The ESV version says “’with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,’”… woh! We need to start with humility in ourselves to have grace with others. That means we have understanding with others, and we view their heart as more important than our own desires. When we “bear with one another in love” that means long-suffering. Walking like Jesus did means we are suffering for a long while for the sake of those we love. We don’t just head out of town when someone makes us mad. We bear with them in love, endure with them, and still be gentle with hard-to-get-along-with people in our lives. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not by our power. We can’t do that. But Jesus can in and through us. If we really look to Him in all we say and do, He can transform our sinful nature into one of gentleness and patience with those who let us down.

Verse 3 “‘Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.'” (NLT) The ESV version says “‘eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'” That’s pretty convicting. We should be EAGER to maintain peace and harmony with others. We cannot obtain eternal life without living in mutual harmony in this world. We shouldn’t have animosity between us and other people – or kick people out of our lives – the kingdom of God is not divided. Christ cannot be divided.

Verse 4“‘For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.'” (NLT) This is saying there is no other God, no other spirits, no other church bodies, no other hope, no other Lord, no other faith, no other baptism than the One. ☝️ There is only one God who is the father of all and only one Lord who is Jesus Christ. There is only one baptism into the kingdom of God. There is only one faith, and we put that in Jesus. We only receive one Holy Spirit and we are called to one church body. And there is only one hope that we have and that is in Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to earth to teach us by example. It seems impossible sometimes to be so loving and graceful, but then I remember Jesus was once a man who walked this earth and can sympathize with me. And yet, He was able to overcome His flesh, sin, and live out the impossible. Break my heart for what breaks yours, God, and help me see others as more important than my own desires. Help me to put You first, my husband second, and my children third. Help me not worry about who is going to take care of me. I choose to trust You, God, that you’ve got my back. Holy Spirit, help me make emotional space in my heart for people to mess up in my life. Help me make room for their faults because of Your sacrificial love that made room for all of my faults. Equip me with patience and gentleness, and help me to endure tough battles for the sake of those I love. I want to be eager to maintain peace in all relationships connected to my life. I want to stand in agreement and unity with Your Church, Jesus. I surrender my own will, and take up Yours, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.