All week, we have been talking about the significance of forgiveness. After all, unforgiveness can destroy relationships if we let it. Unforgiveness and bitterness seek to divide us rather than unite us. We must be people who forgive because we must fight for unity in our relationships, especially our marriages. When we focus on unity, we can navigate disagreements and emerge stronger on the other side because we have made unity our goal.
The apostle Paul talked about the importance of unity in Ephesians 4. He began this passage of Scripture, saying, "Live a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God" (verse 1). As Christ followers, we are called to live in a way that honors God with our lives. Next, Paul explained how we do this. He wrote, "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace" (verses 2-3). In a world that teaches us to seek our own personal gain, we are called to live differently. We are called to be humble and gentile, forgiving each other instead of harboring anger. Along with these things, we must fight for unity. That’s why Paul continued saying, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (verse 3). Notice the language in this command: “Make every effort…” We are called to stop at nothing to seek unity and peace with those around us, especially in our marriages. Why? Unity is essential, and it is worth fighting for. Unity strengthens relationships and allows us to accomplish more than we could apart.
When you and I partner with our spouses or loved ones and focus on unity, we accomplish more than we could on our own. This type of unity is what we are called to in the body of Christ, especially in our marriages. So let's be people who, out of our love for our spouses, family members, and friends, work together in unity for the same purpose: glorifying Christ and showing His love to the world.
Take some time to think about your relationship. How are you fighting for unity, especially in your marriage? Where is there room for improvement? Are you self-focused, thinking only of yourself and your needs? Are you and your spouse serving together, using your gifts and talents to build up the church together? Whether you need to focus on the people around you, especially your spouse, or you need to think of how you and your spouse can serve together, take a step toward fighting for unity today.
1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
