The Bond of Peace

Today's devotional in Light From the Word is titled Preserving Unity and is based on the Scripture reading of Ephesians 4:1-7. I would like to share these verses from the NIV and from The Message.

NIV

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
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.
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.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

The Message

In light of all this, here's what I want you to do.
While I'm locked up here (Paul), a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel.
I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands.
I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.
And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.
You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all.
Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

Jim Lo states that "preserving unity requires effort, as well as humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. At the same time, unity can only be achieved through the Spirit. The bond of peace that He brings is truly wonderful to experience."

God bless and Happy New Year!