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Ephesians 4:1-4 (NIV), Romans 12:18 (GNB)
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. *Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.
What do you think when people and believers are not united? Does it trouble you when there is chaos and lack of peace and unity in our homes, organizations, the church and the society? It is definitely not God’s will because God is love and love promotes unity. Love and unity are good and pleasant to God and it is in this atmosphere of love and unity that God moves and commands His blessing, Psa.133:1-3. This is why the devil hates love and unity among us. The reason our text above implores us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” is because maintaining peace and unity does not happen by chance. It requires deliberate effort and sacrifice from those who understand its importance; especially to God.
While many endeavor, either consciously or unconsciously, to disrupt the unity of the Spirit, we must make every effort to preserve it. Our text above reveals that it will take absolute humility, gentleness, patience and ability to bear with one another in love for us to pursue and preserve unity. Jesus reminded us that it is our love for one another that will indicate to men that we are His disciples, John 13:35. Let’s show the world good examples with our commitment to preserving peace and unity. Our being united is so important to God that Jesus even prayed concerning it while He was physically on this earth. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed that we would be as united with each other as He is with God the Father. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said that peacemakers will be blessed and called the sons of God.
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God for the grace to contribute selflessly to the preservation of peace and unity everywhere you find yourself.
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