Bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:1-8, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager 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 that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

Paul was literally a prisoner in his latter years and spiritually saw himself as a prisoner or a bond-servant of the Lord. He recognizes the tremendous grace give us all, even calling himself the “chief of all sinners” at one point. It’s so easy to get enmeshed in controversy and strife even in the church. How much better could our lives be in every arean if we can accept the amazing grace that He freely gives us?

We want to live in your grace, able to bear with each other in love and maintain the unity of your Spirit in the bond of peace!

ESV Lectionary