Unity
Relationships take effort.
Sometimes a lot of effort.
Is it worth it?
Usually it is. Mostly we do our best because we need relationships to survive. Many psychological studies have been conducted investigating the need for humans to have connections with other humans, and the consequences on our health when we don't.
But just having a relationship is different from having a "healthy" relationship. And through Jesus, we have the capacity to have a very healthy relationship not only with Jesus, but with other Christians - the family of God. This is who we are - a family. This is who we are called to be - a family. This is what identifies us under Jesus - a family. And so Paul writes for us some important things to consider about our responsibilities in this family:
Ephesians 4:1-6
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Live a life worthy of your calling...
We are called to be people who, Paul says in chapter 3, have the power of the Spirit of God in our inmost being. We are called to reflect this reality in our lives.
Be gentle, humble, patient, bearing with one another...
Again, this is the fruit of the Spirit at work in our life. This is the way we imitate Christ. This is the way we shoulder each other's burdens.
Make every effort to keep unity and peace...
Peace is an effort. Unity is an effort. It is not easy to remain united when so many things can come between us in life. But we have, again, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.
And why do we need this unity? Why is it so important?
Because you were called to be a part of one body under one Lord...
This is our identity in Christ. One body. One purpose. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
And because God is over all and through all and in all...
The reality is the the divine Lord of all is with us, and through his Spirit he is in us. We are never without him. We are never alone. He is always present in our lives.
But it is not easy. The challenges of life and the broken humanity we are a part of means that we must make an effort to maintain this unity - real unity. Not pretending that sin does not exist, and not excusing our failures, but recognising that God is the great healer and God is the one who is able to bring unity between humans and the divine, because he has already done so through Jeus, the divine one who became human.
Prayer
Lord God, give us the strength of unity in your church. Build us together as your family. Help us to overcome the challenges of our frail and broken humanity as we remember the power of your Spirit at work in us to bring us together even after we fail. Thank you for Jesus, the divine human, who has made unity with you, our heavenly Father, possible. In his name we pray.
Amen.