Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV)
1I therefore, the prisoner of the LORD, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace. 4 There is one Body, and one SPIRIT, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One LORD, one faith, one baptism, 6 One GOD and FATHER of all, WHO is above all, and through all, and in you all.
The Apostle Paul, who recognizes that he is not a “free man” but rather a servant to GOD, pleads us to live according to the level of assignment (or occupation) that GOD chose us for when HE allowed us to be born. We are to fulfill HIS assignment in humility and meekness.
We were born to work for our MAKER. We were birthed with assignments. Our lives are supposed to be lived out in reverence of our divine professions. We are all ‘prisoners of GOD, ‘not in a literal sense of being confined, but in the sense of being bound by our divine purpose and the responsibility that comes with it.
Captive individuals who were also given a “free will” and the power of choice.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)
We have been granted the freedom to choose or reject our purpose. This freedom is a powerful tool that allows us to shape our lives and fulfill our divine assignments.
Since GOD’s design is for all to interact with humanity, these earthly assignments will require multiple opportunities where patience must be exercised and where we must practice restraint in our exchanges of communication with one another. Understanding each other’s personalities, strengths, and weaknesses in love is the key to fostering compassion and unity.
Love is the key.
Forbearing one another in love; (Ephesians 4:2b)
GOD is Love. (1 John 4:8)
When HE gave us HIS SPIRIT, HE provided us with the capacity to love like HIM. (Galatians 5:22)
Fulfilling our earthly assignments requires being in complete agreement with the HOLY SPIRIT. If we are going to keep peace with one another, it requires the characteristics of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT within us. Peace is what connects humanity as “One.” The HOLY SPIRIT is our GUIDE in this journey of unity and peace.
In our world today, there is so much discord because of all the layers covering up our one commonality: humanity.
When we strip down the layers of political allegiances, racial assignments, and social/economic awareness, perhaps we can discover the nakedness of humanity and allow the only ONE WHO has the capability to cover us and has the power to reunite scattered humanity as “One.”
We will never discover where “One” is as long as we continue to be “prisoners” to the allegiances of our layers. While we’re all on this cycle of life working tirelessly to proclaim, attain, or maintain these earthly offerings of coverings, let us not forget that beneath it all lies humanity, who was created to fulfill purpose and created to be One.
4 There is one Body, and one SPIRIT, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One LORD, one faith, one baptism, 6 One GOD and FATHER of all, WHO is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Households have countlessly displayed that sports fans under one roof can vary like the colors of the rainbow, yet family unity remains.
If our “One” commonality is HIM, where are we?
Where is HIS Body?
Bless the LORD Affirmation
Gracious FATHER,
Apart from YOU, we can accomplish nothing. We are a generation in dire need of individuals willing to submit to the direction of YOUR SPIRIT. We do not lack appropriate instructions; instead, we are deficient in “free will” to accept YOUR incomparable heavenly assignments. Thank YOU for YOUR Grace, Mercy, and Longsuffering towards us. May our souls desire to exercise our free will to submit to YOUR divine will.
Bless the LORD, oh our souls and all that is within us (especially our free will). Bless YOUR Holy Name.