Would you like to remove division? Are you weary of seeing divisions in our society and in the church? Would you like to be part of the healing process? Do you know how to bring about healing? Have you looked to God?
There are divisions everywhere we look. We see divisions in our communities, states, and country. These are not just simple disagreements about what color we should paint a wall. They are significant divisions with lines drawn and hackles up.
We can see people stand across the chasm, staring and yelling at one another. The bridge builders have gone home, giving up on any hope of bringing the two sides together. Sometimes this happens in our churches, just as it does in our society. This is extremely sad and completely against the teaching of the Bible.
Paul gives the Ephesian church a bit of guidance concerning unity. It is good advice whether division has begun to creep in or to prepare for outside attacks. He reminds them, and us, we are part of one body. There is one Spirit who lives inside us. There is one God we all serve. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we all have one hope. If we cannot unify in the spirit as one body with the hope God has given us, what can we unify for?
Unity does not mean we must follow the same liturgy nor agree on the shape of the church building nor even which day of the week we meet. It does mean we all agree there is one Lord and Savior, we serve Him as one body, and we love one another as brothers and sisters in Him. It means we stop squabbling over minor points of preference and link arms together as a unified body of Christ on what is truly important to God.
I pray we commit to being part of one body. I pray we work to remove divisions by way of the Spirit. I pray each one of us come to realize we serve one God in one hope. Seek to heal division. Be unified in the Spirit. Unify as one body. Serve one God. Hold on to one hope.
Ephesians 4:3-6 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.
Marty Pressey 