One in Christ

0:00Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4.3 Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. One in Christ was written by Bill Crowder and read by Westward. Ephesians 4 verses 1 through 7. 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 overall and through all and in all. But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

1:07One in Christ, written by Bill Crowder. In January 1967, the town of Winnecani discovered it had been mistakenly omitted from the official Wisconsin State Roadmap, costing the town vital tourist revenue. So, the town decided to secede from Wisconsin and become its own sovereign state on July 21st of that year. Some say the secession was a move to embarrass the state government. While others claim it was a tongue-in-cheek act of humor. In any case, months of negotiations resulted in state and town coming together again on July 22nd, 1967. Most division isn't as good-natured or as easily resolved. Division is such a threat that the book of Proverbs lists the person who stirs up conflict as one of seven things that are detestable to God.

2:08Division may not only cause problems, but misrepresents Jesus and his Father. The night before the cross, Christ prayed that his followers would be one in him, that the world may believe that you have sent me. Jesus made it clear that our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ or lack of it impacts the world's belief in Him. Perhaps that's why Paul told the Ephesians, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. May we allow the Spirit of Christ to make us one, that the world may be drawn to Him. Let's pray. Father, would you make us one in your Spirit just as you and your Son are one? And please heal divisions that are among us, and let our unity reflect your love so that the world may see Jesus through us. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

3:10As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. What are some of the things that can divide you from other believers? How can those potential points of conflict be resolved so that the body of Christ might know and display unity?