As I sit and look out at the foot of snow, or more, I find I find it very poetic I have a cold on this first dumping of snow. Thanks Lake Erie. It's given me some time to reflect and think about somethings God has been teaching me lately.
Normally on Friday's I help teach two classes at a Christian homeschooling co-op called HEARTS. I help teach Mission's in Action(MIA) with my awesome cousin, Bethany, and drama with the lovely Mrs. A. I found while studying and praying for MIA, God showed me things for class but also used the chapter for things going on in my life.
We are going through the book of Ephesians and today was chapter 4. Even though I wasn't able to be there, I got to send my notes (in summery form) over to Bethany for class. Chapter 4 is about unity in the body of Christ and out knew life in Christ. I've always read this chapter and have been, "Yep. Okay. Got it. Let's move on." But I found God's words to be more personal and inviting this time around.
Unity in the body of Christ in today's world means:
-Let's forget denominations.
-Love each other and except sin.
-If our basic convictions don't line up, let's put those aside so we can be unified (I didn't mean to rhyme there), and show the world how amazing we are at loving each other and the world.
That's not the picture Paul paints in Chapter 4 of Ephesians. He paints a picture of unity through the Gospel of Christ calling Christians to walk a manner worthy of their calling. Or in other words, living a godly lifestyle according to what the bible says. Not to be a "good Christian" but following your new desires God has given to you in Christ. Now, Paul tells us to live our Christian calling with humility, gentleness, and with lots of patience, bearing with each other in love. The word that jumped out at me in 4:3 was eager. I looked it up in the greek and it means to give diligence. And in context with what Paul is saying is that we, as followers of Christ, need to be diligent in pursing unity in the body. There is an eagerness to do this with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This can only be done by obeying the Holy Spirit in our day to day lives and taking off the old and putting on the new. That all said, and I hope it wasn't confusing, this is where it got personal for me.
God has been so faithful in my day to day in the last month or so. He has nudged me along to do things for Him and others instead of my flesh or what I want to do. It's so hard! But God is there and I just have to make the choice. In other words, take off the old and put on the new. I want unity in the the body but that unity won't come until I am obeying God in my day to day life. We all need to do that as followers of Christ. As I go deeper into God's Word, I find my need for Christ so much than I've ever felt possible.
My deep need for Christ is like my deep need for water on a hot summer day. I can't go without Christ or I fall apart. The body can't go with out Christ or there is no unity.
Father,
I pray for unity in Your church. I pray all Your children will seek you daily and have an eagerness to walk according to what you have called us to with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Help us see where you are moving and give us wisdom and discernment. I pray all members of the body are working properly so Your church my grow and builds itself up in love. I thank you for what you are doing and I love you so much. Thank you for my need for Christ.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
