Thoughts for the Day

Unity in the Body of Christ

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift .... The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Over the years many of us have belonged to different groups that expected us to behave in an acceptable manner as their representative. When you wore that school uniform, for instance, woe betide you if you got up to mischief in town, the school would take a dim view of this. High standards are expected from nurses, police officers, and the armed forces who all wear uniforms, and similar certain standards are also expected of those who represent their club or country, in sports. When we behave badly it reflects on those whom we represent.

There are similarities with being a Christian. We want to walk worthily not so God will love us, but because He loves us, and we do not want to stain the title of 'Christian'. Tertullian (a theologian and writer in 197 CE) said of Christians "See how they love one another, they are ready even to die for one another". Unfortunately, this comment has been used again and again sarcastically, when we don't live up to such a high standard.

The writer of Ephesians says each of us must learn to live up to our calling as Christians in order to build up the Church. We are to do this by being humble (not put ourselves forward), gentle, patient, loving to one another, and with the Holy Spirit's help keep the Church together in peace. Then, and only then will others say positively, "See how they love one another!"

Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the Head of the Church,
and we are the Body.
May we learn to be worthy representatives
of Your creation,
humbly seeking to help the Body grow
both in maturity and in number.
Help us to seek the common good,
and continue to be patient with one another
until You call us home.
Amen.