SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
Family
Togetherness
Read: Ephesians 4:1-16
Keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. —Ephesians
4:3
My
husband, children, and I have a fun family tradition. It happens
when we are at
home and someone calls out “family hug!” We usually
rendezvous in the kitchen;
I hug the kids and my husband wraps his
arms around all of us. It’s our way of
expressing love and enjoying a
brief moment of family togetherness.
Although
we enjoy an occasional group hug, it’s not always easy to
maintain that sense
of unity. After all, each person in our family is
unique. We have different
needs, abilities, and viewpoints—much like
the family of God (Eph. 4:11-12).
Despite
inevitable differences with other believers, Paul calls us to “keep
the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (v.3). Harmony with other
Christians is
important because it reflects the unity between Jesus and
His heavenly Father.
Jesus prayed this for believers: “That they all may
be one, as You, Father, are
in Me, and I in You” (John 17:21).
When
problems arise within the family of God, the Bible says we are to
respond “with
all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing
with one another in
love” (Eph. 4:2). This is the way to experience
family togetherness with people
who share the fundamentals of our faith.
I pray, O Lord,
reveal to me
If I have caused
disunity,
For You would have
Your children one
In praise and love
for Your dear Son. —Branon
Our hearts are linked
through the love of Christ.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
