There are people who seem to be fingernails on the chalkboard of my life. I hear the Holy Spirit saying, when they enter my "space", to love them and give grace. There is no "eagerness" there for me and more often than not I avoid them or removed them from my life. I think this might be a perfect example of the opposite of this passage and frankly the three previous chapters in Ephesians.
Here's what I gleaned this morning after reading Ephesians 4:1-16, actually I did not get past verse 8.
I am rarely "eager" to maintain unity. Most of the time the opposite is true, I want justice and vindication at all cost. I want to be right and I want to be heard. I believe that flies in the face of "eager for unity". This is my flesh rising up, certainly not the life Paul is describing.
The words that preface this "eagerness" are. . .
Walk in a manner worthy of the calling
Humility, gentleness and bearing one another in love.
As believers we are all called. Paul has laid that foundation in the previous chapters. The evidence of the calling is walking is an attitude of humility, gentleness, love. It looks like "eagerness for unity" is a by-product of the transformed life, surrendered to Christ, living in the full measure of God's gift of grace. There is choice in that life and the choice seems to be either, live self-focused or Christ focused.
My food for thought today:
What am I eager for?
What does my calling, my walk reflect in relationships that are challenging?
Since I was not at The Gathering on Sunday, I would love anyone who was there to fill in the blanks for me. I would love to know what you heard from God.
Peace of Christ be with you.
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