Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Preserve.
A quick look at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary should bring some serious consideration to us all:
- to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction
- to keep alive, intact, or free from decay
- to maintain
Reading of those very definitions brought one question to mind: Are we doing all we are to do to preserve the unity of our families, churches, and communities?
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
(Ephesians 4:1-3, NASB)
In writing to the Ephesians, Paul is exhorting us all how to live even in these days we are now living.
We will need four qualities present and active in our lives – humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance (meaning the ability to endure pain or hardship).
Without these qualities in all of us, unity is in jeopardy. There will be discord and arguments abounding.
It will take work on all our parts, to preserve peace and unity.
We will each need to humble ourselves and respond to the work of the Spirit in us.
The result will make it worth the effort!
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!”
(Psalm 133:1, NASB)
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Today I may be joining …
Good thoughts which bring to mind other thoughts. We have recently had a huge upheaval in our fellowship with many people leaving out of frustration, anger, disagreements, etc. My hubby and I have stayed. We are trying to love everyone from all sides of The Thing that happened. It is so hard. How do you create unity when so many don’t want it. This is what we are struggling with. I’m sure the Ephesians did too! I just wish we had more examples of how things can be resolved. Unity is hard. Preserving unity is harder. Good stuff! Blessings on your weekend! FMF#3
Excellent observation. As Christians we need unity. I agree with the 4 qualities that you mention–humility, gentleness, patience and the ability to endure hardship.
Wise words, Joanne.
Preserving peace and unity is so important. It’s not easy, but it is definitely worth it. These verses (and similar ones) seem to keep coming up for me this week, so it is something to take note of!