Bond of Peace

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."  -Ephesians 4:3

What ARE we waiting for?  These words by Paul are to fellow Christians.  He has just written in his letter to the Ephesians, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love," then encourages us to be at peace with one another.  I am seeing in today's Christians a need for Paul's letter to be sent out to Christ's followers once again.  The deceiver is using politics to divide Christians into groups separated by ideology.  How can this be when we are one in Christ?  How can we stand united when people take sides with labels such as Democrat or Republican?  Conservative or Liberal?  Christ never took on the labels of the world so why do we, His followers?

In fact, even the term Christian, which was never used while He still walked the earth, can be divisive.  Perhaps, believers should call themselves children of God now that we are back in the fold.  Christ is our brother.  Together we are one with God.  Labels can be misconstrued and used in ways that hurt rather than help.  Who has not suffered some name-calling by a bully or angry person?  Or has been labeled shy or boisterous which pigeon-holes us?

The Jewish people do not even utter the name of God except in prayer, but rather refer to His attributes, such as the Almighty.  The reason is they do not want to take His name in vain.  Perhaps we Christians need to do the same, not only with God but with Jesus Christ.  Perhaps whenever we invoke the name of Christ we instead say something like the One Who Loves and Saves Us.  This will not only remind us who Christ is but who we are--His disciples, examples of His love and mercy.

Father, may my life be an example of unifying rather than dividing, of building up rather than tearing down.  May my life be one of demonstrating the love of the One Who Loves and Saves me.

Link to Scripture:  Ephesians 4:1-6

Take Action: Unity in the Body