Ephesians 4:1-6
I (Paul) beg you—I, a prisoner here in jail for serving the Lord—to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another. We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all and living through every part of us. Ephesians 4:1-6 (TLB)
Our oldest son, Matt, and I are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to the presidential election. Having grown up having lively discussions, we can vocally disagree and truly share a hug at the end of our “conversation”. He laughs when he says dad always goes out to light the grill when he and I start discussing politics.
This isn’t the relationship we have with most people though, nor is it the relationship that most of the people of Ephesus had with each other. In addition to the division caused by bringing Jews and Gentiles together in this new church, there were also racial, ethnic and social differences.
That’s what makes this appeal even more significant. Without addressing all of the differences, Paul describes how we are to approach each other in our differences – “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Notice he doesn’t say “making allowance for THEIR faults”. He says, “making allowance for each other’s faults”. Ahhh . . . is it possible that sometimes I could be wrong? That in being patient with one another, I could be the one that needs the patience? Could being at peace with one another be just as important or perhaps more important than being right?
Even more so, could the diversity that we experience in the church be seen as a gift, a strength, instead of a problem? Each person was created by God and led by the Spirit to share their gifts to build up the kingdom. Are there people that we would exclude from worship and serving at Southwood? Would Southwood be less if we did? Or, by loving and listening to those who are different than us, might we grow and understand each other better as we look for God’s Spirit in each other.
As I reread this devotion, it sounds a little harsh, and it occurs to me that God isn’t finished with us yet. That even though we are imperfect beings, we are loved and cherished by God.
As Martin Luther wrote . . .
This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal, but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed. (“A Defense and Explanation of All the Articles.” Luther’s Works 32, p. 24. Edited by George Forell. Augsburg, 1958.)
Matt and I may never come to an agreement on politics, but his opinions have often educated me and the fact that we love each other goes without question. How much less my life would be without him. Could this be true of those we would exclude from the church?
Questions for Reflection:
- Which of the qualities in verse 2 & 3 are the hardest for you? The easiest?
- Why do you think God gives different gifts to different people?
- Is it easier to be open to a different opinion from someone close to you or someone you don’t know as well?
Prayer:
God of all people,
Guide me, as an individual, in my interactions so that I am open and respectful to those who think differently. And guide us, as a church, to unite together so that all people may know the love of Jesus. Amen.
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