Unity

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

It seems the constant in the human condition is one of division. You can pick any topic from A-to-Z, and folks will be firmly entrenched on both sides of the middle ground. We seem to derive some perverse pleasure in our divisiveness. But, of course, this delights Satan since it is diametrically opposed to the unity desired by God.

In coming to earth in human form, God came to offer unity to humankind. Jesus once again extended wholeness to all of humanity. A harmony that existed in the Garden of Eden before the fall. To achieve this peace means changing our instinctual sinful human nature, replacing arrogance with humility, harshness with gentleness, and remembering the person who sits on the other side of whatever divide was also made in God’s likeness.

God of love and peace, we thank you for sending Jesus to offer us unity and show us the way. Please help us yield to the Spirit, replace our human thinking with your thinking, and show patience and love to all. Amen.

Blessings, Pastor Tim