Desires Unity
Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
If there is a prayer that I will always remember that was prayed by our Savior it is the prayer found in John 17:21 where Jesus goes on to say, “…that they may be one.” Wow! A prayer for unity by our Lord Himself. Christ knew that there would be a lot of diversity and so He prays this prayer for His disciples and for those to follow, to be united despite the diversity that we have. And to be united as He and His father are.
But what does that entail? Is it as easy as it sounds? In the book of Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 2 it says from the KJV that we have to “forbear” one another. To “forbear” would mean “to put up with some one.” Now that ain’t easy. I remember when I was living in the dorm, and I would come in after a long day of class and work, ready to sleep and just then, my roommates would pop in and start blasting loud music. My oh my! What a great temptation that is, but the scripture says to, forbear. After that, when the noise dies down and all seems peaceful, and the sleep starts to kick in, my neighbor on the adjacent bunk bed starts to snore…again, forbear. Or how many of you have waited for a parking space for so long and just as you are about to enter into the space, another driver goes and beats you to it. For many, in such situations the tendency is to get mad and maybe even start to shout at the offender.
For some, the lack of unity may come in regards to family or friends. For words wrongly spoken, actions done that thus caused a separation. But for all these our Lord prayed, “that they may be one.” He desires unity. We are the body of Christ. We have to work together in order for us to function well. Like the apostles in the book of acts. They where together “in one accord”, one spirit, praying and worshiping God and behold a great thing happened to them, for the Spirit came upon them on that day of Pentecost and the rest is as we know it. They where able to do many grand things in the name of the Lord.
For us as Christians to gain victory, we must unite, first with the father in heaven, then next with our fellow men, through the bond of the Holy Spirit.
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