S.0.S.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:3-6

To the outside world, the Church is divided. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists etc. etc. In Ephesians 1-3, Paul has outlined how Christians are not really divided.

Spiritually speaking, we are all united in the body of Christ and by the same Spirit who dwells in us. The greatest divides, God/humans & Jew/Gentile have been removed by the work of Christ. This is the true Church that God sees.

But now, the Church must make every effort to reflect that unity. This is where things get tricky. What does that look like?

Well. The answer isn’t to find unity in something other than the one hope, Lord or His Word. Instead, we need to make every effort to find unity using the common ground of Scripture.

We can’t control what happens on the world, national or even city stage. But within our Church we can make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. In humility, gentleness, patience and love, wrestling with what the Spirit has said about our hope in the Lord Jesus.

For Today:

• How do you deal with conflict in the Church?
• Have you had to make an effort to keep the unity of the Spirit?
• Pray for someone who calls themself a Christian but won’t make an effort for unity.

Pray:

• Praise the Father, Son & Spirit that they are united as the Trinity. 
• Give thanks for the Son who is the hope and teaches us the truth that we must be united in. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.