Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:2-3.
Effort, sweat, and dedication seem to have become the profanity of Western Christianity, who don’t see acts of obedient faith as necessary to authentic discipleship, the Holy Spirit reaches out with his truth. The Spirit reminds us that relationships on earth, even those in Jesus’ family, require patient effort, gritty love, personal sacrifice, gracious forgiveness, and rigorous determination. If we read Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:20-21, how could we not make every effort to keep his Body unified and be loving and patient with each other? Since Jesus purchased our salvation with his sweat, grace, and blood, how can we balk when our passionate efforts are required to preserve the unity and peace of Jesus’ family?