Unity & Forbearance

Forbearance is more than just patience; it is an active choice to remain calm and supportive when others challenge us or let us down. To Show mercy, grace, and self-control.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in 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 you all. Ephesians 4:1-5

 We are set apart as Christ followers. Our goal as Christians is to look, think, and act differently. We live by a higher standard. People should be able to look at our lives and see God’s love. Based on the way we live; people should be drawn to us. Our unity as the body of Christ in this country and around the world- (The Church) comes from the most well-known verse in scripture:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Our unity as The Church depends on you and me living out the fruits of the spirit daily. In this case- forbearance. God’s word says “Take up your cross daily.”

It starts with me.

 While reading Ephesians 4: 1-5, this scripture hit me in such a different way. It was one of those Holy Spirit gripping moments. God has placed me to a higher standard. It’s not the standard set by men. I’m a child of God. I’m separated. When I look at this scripture considering “forbearance” it just may be that every day I must make an active choice to remain calm and supportive when others challenge me or let me down and show mercy, grace, and self-control and live in forgiveness.

 Every-Single-Day

 May we all choose to demonstrate forbearance in our lives daily, as if someone’s eternity depends on it.

How will you devote2day?