VS. March 8, 2025 Devotional
March 08, 2025
EPHESIANS 4:1-3 | 1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The task of achieving concord is served by many positive practices. They include forgiveness, so that grudges are not born, and bonds of gratitude deepen. Loving confrontation, instead of triangulation, that helps us deal with festering issues that disturb and diminish relationships. Doing the work of seeking the truth, rather than settling for juicy rumors helps community communication to be distraction free. Cultivating “big shoulders” so that small sleights do not provoke big reactions, keeps the temperature in public spaces tolerable. Understanding that church is a cooperative endeavor
prevents a zero sum attitude—we need different views to get at unifying truths. We must trust that the Spirit will speak as we listen to one another.
There are many other crucial unifying practices, including common mission efforts, the joy of shared worship and prayer, and the foundational commitment to scriptural truth, embodied in teaching and preaching.
When have you experienced unity? How was it established and maintained?
Gracious God,
Remind me of the simple practices that foster concord and unity.
Amen.
