Monday, May 11, 2026

Opening Scripture

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy, your protection and provision, your comfort and healing. Help me to trust you in all things and orient my life toward you today. May my mind’s attention and heart’s affection be on you. Guide my choices and direct my decisions for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 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.

Reflection  

This week, we will continue our journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Remember that we are still in the season of “Eastertide” – the interval between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday. The original 40-day focus from Resurrection to Ascension was later expanded to a 50-day emphasis that included the Feast of Pentecost. Our theme during this season is “Shaped by the Spirit.”

In the first three chapters of this letter, Paul offers a great deal of doctrinal content. In the next three chapters, he provides practical application of those doctrines. Paul has explained the mystery of the union of Jews and Gentiles as the Church, and he has prayed for that unity, established in the love of Christ. He now explains what this “new humanity” looks like in our everyday lives.

As we’ve already seen, Paul repeatedly emphasizes the Christian’s “walk” (peripateó), meaning the way a person conducts himself or “lives” each day. In today’s passage, after reminding the Ephesians that he is “a prisoner for the Lord,” Paul urges them to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

The word “worthy” here (axiós) means suitable, matching, or of equal weight. The Christians’ walk should be appropriate to their salvation, both in their personal lives and in their participation in the body of Christ. It’s the same instruction Paul gave the Colossians, “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Paul then explains exactly what that “worthy life” looks like. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Long-suffering. Essentially, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). However, in light of the intense animosity and prejudice that existed for so long in that “polarized” society, Paul adds extra emphasis on unity. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

The Spirit-controlled attitudes Paul identifies express themselves in God-honoring behavior. Don’t be proud. Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should. Don’t be rude, harsh, or abrasive. Be considerate of others and their thoughts. Don’t be too hasty or rash. Demonstrate self-control and appropriate restraint.

This Christ-like posture – along with a healthy dose of “gracious toleration” – makes it easier for a diverse congregation (or any group) to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Paul concludes today’s passage by listing seven “unifying elements” centered on the three Persons of the Godhead.

• one body, the Church
• one Spirit, who indwells all believers
• one hope, to which we are called
• one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church
• one faith, required for salvation
• one baptism, our identification with Christ
• one God, the Father of all believers

This “unity in community” – inspired, informed, and integrated by the Trinitarian Fellowship – is an expression of Jesus’ promise to His disciples in John 14, “I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you… the Spirit lives with you and will be in you… my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

In John 15, when Jesus used the analogy of the vine and branches, He was describing this intimate personal relationship among believers and the Godhead. Remember that John quotes Jesus using the word “meno” (remain, abide, dwell) eleven times in that chapter. The inference of “remain” is “live together.” Jesus wants us to “remain” and “abide” with Him – and each other – forever!

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Congregations

The body of Christ is incredibly diverse! Followers of Jesus come from every corner of the human population. We’re a complex combination of gene pools, backgrounds, and life experiences. Add in vast variations in culture, language, and natural abilities. Top it off with an assortment of likes, dislikes, and personal preferences, and you have the Church. It is a good thing we are all unified by the seven elements listed above. That is a miracle in itself.

God loves diversity, and He makes sure that all His people are called and gifted. The Church possesses multiple gifts and functions to be used by God at different times and in different ways to accomplish His mission.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul explains some of this gifting. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

Paul goes on to identify some of the spiritual gifts that are given for “the common good.” Wisdom. Knowledge. Faith. Healing. Miraculous powers. Prophecy. Distinguishing between spirits. Speaking in different kinds of tongues. Interpretation of tongues. But the greatest of these is love!

If you are a disciple of Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you. If the Holy Spirit lives in you, He has gifted you to contribute to His kingdom work. When we use our spiritual gifts humbly and graciously to serve one another, the Church grows, and we all benefit.

Do you know your spiritual gift? You may have more than one! If you want to explore this further, click this link from Lifeway Christian Resources: Lifeway Christian – Spiritual Gifts Survey.

As we’ll see tomorrow, God has also gifted members of the body of Christ to serve in five specific functions for the good and growth of the Church.

How are you making “every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”… at home… at school… at work… at church?

How are you using your gifts for the “common good”?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!