The Gospel According to Paul: Pray for Unity. Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sunday, June 3, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 06.03.2018” on Spreaker.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:1–4).
We Are His Children
With all this talk of the gospel of Christ, I want to underscore benefits we have barely touched. It is a privilege to experience the gospel of Christ. This gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to all who believe. And this gospel message transforms us into saved children of the heavenly King!
Having become His children, we also become His ambassadors, spreading hope to all who are willing to listen. We have said this multiple times throughout the series. However, Paul says something special in Ephesians 3 that we have not seen before. He said that a secret of God’s grace was unfolding to the apostles and prophets during his time.
The way of salvation through Christ, which also made it possible to make non-Jews heirs according to the promise God made to the father of the faithful,
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:10–12).
Foundation for Unity
What a privilege to be among those who accept the gospel, which was revealed in a special way never before seen in this world or by the heavenly intelligences. God’s character of love, mercy, and justice is finally being vindicated for the entire universe to see.
Now, today’s theme text makes sense! There is nothing more detrimental to sharing this special news than disunity among so-called believers.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all God’s people who tarried in the upper room. They were on one accord, and shared all they had with one another so nobody who needed, lacked. All who gathered for Peter’s special message that day, regardless of their primary languages, heard him speak in their own languages.
Bonds of Peace
Miraculously, God provided a special unction and power to accomplish His will. If we ever hope to accomplish His will in our day, we need to allow God to bind us together in peace, love, hope, patience, and our high calling so we can participate in the greatest work this generation has ever seen—the spreading of the everlasting gospel into all the world.
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?
