I fell onto the couch at 8:15 last night and said to my wife, "let's run away!" [No, I did not really mean it!] The unrelenting responsibility that is part of life seemed overwhelming, at that moment of weariness. I just could not think of getting up another day to do it all again, and again. But, then I continued my conversation with her saying, "I've got to do this one day at time, don't I?" Just about every working person I know has moments like that. Living in a world where the struggle with weeds, rust, and rot never stops, we all become tired, or frustrated, or fed up from time to time.
Weariness becomes more of a problem when we allow life to drive us instead of letting the Lord draw us! When I look at my calendar and see meetings and deadlines filling up day upon day, my adrenalin surges and I 'suit up' for work. Before long I find myself a slave to those tasks, driven by a need to 'get it done,' instead of rejoicing in the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Either way the work is accomplished, but if the focus is just on checking off tasks, I become a cranky man, not too pleasant to be around, and certainly not marked by the Presence of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. When I step back and start to thank God for the opportunities to teach, to counsel, and even for the more mundane work involved with being the Pastor a local congregation, I still get tired, but because I am drawn along by a sense of His calling, I don't get that desperate feeling that the work is about to consume me.
This isn't just 'pastor' stuff. Whatever you do, you can let the work drive you, or you can present yourself to the Lord and let Him draw you along. We are called to be hard workers, diligent in doing our job, with the right perspective. And what is that? Take a look. "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Ephesians 6:7, NLT) There it is. Do what you do, not just to 'make a living,' or 'to keep the boss off your back,' but to please the Lord.
Do you see your work as an opportunity to serve the Lord? Some of you are thinking - "What planet does this guy live on? Does he have a clue about the place and/or people with whom I work?" Maybe I don't. But, I do know that there is no place on earth where God's Presence cannot go! The Word says, "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me." (Psalm 139:7-10, NLT) And He asks you and me to carry Him with us into places, good and bad, difficult and pleasant.
If you're stressed by life today, let me encourage you to take a few minutes to readjust your focus. Instead of complaining about the responsibilities, thank God for the opportunities. Instead of just 'getting the work done,' look for ways to do the work well for the Lord's sake. "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:16-17, NLT)
____________________________________
May the fragrance of Jesus, fill my life;
Let His light shine through me, I pray,
May His glory and power, fill this place
That the world would seek His face!
Forever You shine in me!
Forever You shine through me!
Forever You shine in me!
Forever You shine!
Fragrance of Jesus- Terry Keenan
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Keeping it honest
As a Christian committed to the Scripture's revelation of Truth, I am a firm Believer in Creation. As an educated man of the 21st century, I know there are serious issues with fundamentalist interpretations of Genesis which require a belief that the earth is only several thousands of years old. This TFTD is neither long enough to attempt an answer nor purposed around resolving those issues. I am writing about my frustration over the unwillingness of people of all persuasions to have an honest debate about these issues which would allow those of us without degrees in biology or geology to grasp the arguments. Books and articles from both evolutionists and creationists usually adopt a belligerent view of the 'other side,' that destroys the search for understanding.
I am presently reading a book by Dr. Michael Behe, professor of microbiology at Lehigh University, called The Edge of Evolution. Behe is an ardent supporter of Intelligent Design, the theory that there is an outside influence (he does not give that force a name or label) that guided the process of development of complex life here on the earth. He comes to that view from his observation of natural phenomena as a scientist. He is a Christian with a Roman Catholic background who does not read the Bible with a literal and fundamentalist perspective. Yet, his work is widely scorned by most scientists, not because of poor formation of his theories, but because he allows for the existence of something or someone outside of our system influencing the system. Yes, that something quickly becomes "God" and it seems that "God" is not allowed to be included in the discussion. If a scientist allows for a Designer, he is accused of having a "medieval mind,'' or called 'too lazy' to seek for the 'real answer.' But, it is not just evolutionists who vilify those with differing views. Creationists do the same thing to those who hold differing ideas about the origins of the universe. All too often contempt invades the debate and each 'side' dismisses the other with labels, often personal and petty, that ends the conversation. Those of us on the outside who would benefit from a real conversation by the experts are left with our questions.
It is hard for me to trust the literature from both Creationist and Evolutionist viewpoints written for those of us who are not scientists because it appears to me that rather than working towards discovery, the aim is more often to dig the trenches dividing the sides deeper! (I surely could be wrong on this as my reading is obviously limited)
By now many of you are even acutely uncomfortable with this TFTD! Am I right? Some of you are wondering, "Has Jerry abandoned faith in the Scripture?" My answer? Not at all! But I do know this - understanding what the Bible teaches me requires an ongoing discovery of how God intends for us to read it. The Word is clear that the world came from the Mind of the Creator, who because He made us at His command. As the Creator, He has the right to own us and hold us accountable to love and serve Him. But I am acutely interested in understanding the processes of the world God made, how He made it, and the intricacy of the design that makes Creation work. And I am convinced of this: honest science is not the enemy of faith, anymore than honest faith is the enemy of science!
If God is the Source of Truth and Knowledge as we profess that He is, won't He stand up to inquiry? Dogma is dangerous, wherever it comes from. As a man who loves Jesus Christ, I want to honor the Truth He represents! I want to become an even better Christian by understanding the magnificent world He has made. So, let's keep the conversation honest, acknowledging the points where it becomes difficult, admitting to the intersections where we collide philosophically, and respecting our minds - which God gave us right alongside of our hearts.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today - "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything." (Colossians 1:15-18, NLT)
__________________________
To God be the glory,
Great things He has done,
So loved He the world
that He gave us His Son;
Who yielded His life
an atonement for sin,
and opened the lifegate
that all may go in.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let His people rejoice.
O come to the Father,
through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory,
Great things He has done!
- public domain
I am presently reading a book by Dr. Michael Behe, professor of microbiology at Lehigh University, called The Edge of Evolution. Behe is an ardent supporter of Intelligent Design, the theory that there is an outside influence (he does not give that force a name or label) that guided the process of development of complex life here on the earth. He comes to that view from his observation of natural phenomena as a scientist. He is a Christian with a Roman Catholic background who does not read the Bible with a literal and fundamentalist perspective. Yet, his work is widely scorned by most scientists, not because of poor formation of his theories, but because he allows for the existence of something or someone outside of our system influencing the system. Yes, that something quickly becomes "God" and it seems that "God" is not allowed to be included in the discussion. If a scientist allows for a Designer, he is accused of having a "medieval mind,'' or called 'too lazy' to seek for the 'real answer.' But, it is not just evolutionists who vilify those with differing views. Creationists do the same thing to those who hold differing ideas about the origins of the universe. All too often contempt invades the debate and each 'side' dismisses the other with labels, often personal and petty, that ends the conversation. Those of us on the outside who would benefit from a real conversation by the experts are left with our questions.
It is hard for me to trust the literature from both Creationist and Evolutionist viewpoints written for those of us who are not scientists because it appears to me that rather than working towards discovery, the aim is more often to dig the trenches dividing the sides deeper! (I surely could be wrong on this as my reading is obviously limited)
By now many of you are even acutely uncomfortable with this TFTD! Am I right? Some of you are wondering, "Has Jerry abandoned faith in the Scripture?" My answer? Not at all! But I do know this - understanding what the Bible teaches me requires an ongoing discovery of how God intends for us to read it. The Word is clear that the world came from the Mind of the Creator, who because He made us at His command. As the Creator, He has the right to own us and hold us accountable to love and serve Him. But I am acutely interested in understanding the processes of the world God made, how He made it, and the intricacy of the design that makes Creation work. And I am convinced of this: honest science is not the enemy of faith, anymore than honest faith is the enemy of science!
If God is the Source of Truth and Knowledge as we profess that He is, won't He stand up to inquiry? Dogma is dangerous, wherever it comes from. As a man who loves Jesus Christ, I want to honor the Truth He represents! I want to become an even better Christian by understanding the magnificent world He has made. So, let's keep the conversation honest, acknowledging the points where it becomes difficult, admitting to the intersections where we collide philosophically, and respecting our minds - which God gave us right alongside of our hearts.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today - "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything." (Colossians 1:15-18, NLT)
__________________________
To God be the glory,
Great things He has done,
So loved He the world
that He gave us His Son;
Who yielded His life
an atonement for sin,
and opened the lifegate
that all may go in.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Let His people rejoice.
O come to the Father,
through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory,
Great things He has done!
- public domain
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
One of God's best gifts!
The man had a strange complaint. "I cannot decide. There are just too many choices!" He actually wished, (so he claimed) that his options in life were fewer, as he felt it would make things easier for him. Apparently he is one of the indecisive types, those people who delay making a decision either because they fear they will make the wrong one, or because they will not risk offending someone with the choice they make. I am grateful that God has given me so many options in life.
Everyday I awaken to an array of choices to be made - ranging from which cereal I will have for breakfast to whether I will choose to honor Him with my actions or go my own sinful way in life! I know this as well; the choices I make today have consequences, rippling out into the lives of others and giving shape to my future. While I recognize there are larger forces at work around me that influence my life in ways I cannot control, I also know that I have been given the gift of choice, that God allows me to make important decisions that build or destroy. I thank Him that He has placed in me some amazing and wonderful abilities to be a part of His creative work in the world.
The way that people make choices is a fascinating study.
Some are impulsive! "I want it. It appeals to me. I'll take it!" Such decision-making, if we can call it that, often leads to regret since even the important choices in life are made without consideration.
Some are intuitive! "My gut tells me this is the right choice!" They trust their natural instinctive guidance system more than they trust the counsel of others.
Some are cognitive! "Let's assemble the facts!" This person requires support for decisions, getting reviews, seeking advice, proceeding with careful thought.
Whatever our style of making decisions, as Believers we have God's promise that He will lead and guide us. The Word tells us "How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:19-21, NIV) Jesus was even more specific. Speaking of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us, He said, "...when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." (John 16:13-14, NIV)
Joshua, the general who led Israel after Moses' death, stood at the door to the Promised Land with the 2nd generation of Israelis who had been led out of Egypt in the Exodus. Reflecting on the wrong choices of their parents that had led to their wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua challenged them to "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, NKJV) Hundreds of years later, when idol worship had nearly overtaken Israel, Elijah, a powerful preacher, demanded a choice be made. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." (1 Kings 18:21, NIV)
Friend, if you have received Jesus as your Savior, then make the choice to serve Him as Lord! Declare yourself to be in His service. Make a bold and confident decision to live today for Him and in His ways. Such a choice will allow you to live in the joy of His grace and goodness. It may bring you the scorn of some who do not understand your choice to dethrone Self in favor of Jesus Christ. It will certainly bring you moments of inner conflict, when your sinful desires (and we all have them!) clamor for attention. But, if you have made the decision to crown Him Lord of all, then those desires will have to die that He might live. Know this, today's decision to serve the Lord must be renewed tomorrow, and the day after that, and ... you get the point. We live in a world that rebels against the will of God and that rebellion creeps into our own spirit, rising up against His reign.
Don't think that you are alone or that it is the strength of your will alone that wins the fight! Lean on the Spirit. Pray for His wisdom as promised. Pray for Him to come upon you and to defeat the Tempter's wiles. Worship regularly and draw on the life that comes from time with God and the instruction for the decisions that comes from knowing the Scriptures.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)
Everyday I awaken to an array of choices to be made - ranging from which cereal I will have for breakfast to whether I will choose to honor Him with my actions or go my own sinful way in life! I know this as well; the choices I make today have consequences, rippling out into the lives of others and giving shape to my future. While I recognize there are larger forces at work around me that influence my life in ways I cannot control, I also know that I have been given the gift of choice, that God allows me to make important decisions that build or destroy. I thank Him that He has placed in me some amazing and wonderful abilities to be a part of His creative work in the world.
The way that people make choices is a fascinating study.
Some are impulsive! "I want it. It appeals to me. I'll take it!" Such decision-making, if we can call it that, often leads to regret since even the important choices in life are made without consideration.
Some are intuitive! "My gut tells me this is the right choice!" They trust their natural instinctive guidance system more than they trust the counsel of others.
Some are cognitive! "Let's assemble the facts!" This person requires support for decisions, getting reviews, seeking advice, proceeding with careful thought.
Whatever our style of making decisions, as Believers we have God's promise that He will lead and guide us. The Word tells us "How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:19-21, NIV) Jesus was even more specific. Speaking of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us, He said, "...when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." (John 16:13-14, NIV)
Joshua, the general who led Israel after Moses' death, stood at the door to the Promised Land with the 2nd generation of Israelis who had been led out of Egypt in the Exodus. Reflecting on the wrong choices of their parents that had led to their wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua challenged them to "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, NKJV) Hundreds of years later, when idol worship had nearly overtaken Israel, Elijah, a powerful preacher, demanded a choice be made. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." (1 Kings 18:21, NIV)
Friend, if you have received Jesus as your Savior, then make the choice to serve Him as Lord! Declare yourself to be in His service. Make a bold and confident decision to live today for Him and in His ways. Such a choice will allow you to live in the joy of His grace and goodness. It may bring you the scorn of some who do not understand your choice to dethrone Self in favor of Jesus Christ. It will certainly bring you moments of inner conflict, when your sinful desires (and we all have them!) clamor for attention. But, if you have made the decision to crown Him Lord of all, then those desires will have to die that He might live. Know this, today's decision to serve the Lord must be renewed tomorrow, and the day after that, and ... you get the point. We live in a world that rebels against the will of God and that rebellion creeps into our own spirit, rising up against His reign.
Don't think that you are alone or that it is the strength of your will alone that wins the fight! Lean on the Spirit. Pray for His wisdom as promised. Pray for Him to come upon you and to defeat the Tempter's wiles. Worship regularly and draw on the life that comes from time with God and the instruction for the decisions that comes from knowing the Scriptures.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)
Monday, September 24, 2007
You're not alone, but you have to join up!
Our church's leadership team gathered at a mountaintop lodge in Pennsylvania with the stated goal of "making a good church, a great one for the glory of God!" Ambitious, isn't it? In our time together the one thing I found most valuable was the renewed sense that the work of God in this world is not just about 'me,' but rather is about 'we!' In our planning and praying our personalities showed up - ranging from the reserved planners who brought their Post-it notes and flow charts to the exuberant prayers who brought their fiery devotion to the creative work of the Spirit! We trusted each other with our dreams and our criticisms, with our perspectives and our pre-conceived ideas. Now, we wait to see what God, the Spirit, will do in us and through us as we purpose to continue the work. As we come down from the mountain, both literally and figuratively, we are confronted with the challenge of staying committed to each other, so that we are able to express love in the daily work of the church. Staying 'in the Body' is a daily decision that I make - and not always a glad nor easy one - but a decision that ultimately proves greatly beneficial.
Are you, Believer, in the Body?
Are you committed to the Church and the church?
Think I just typed a line that is in error? That's not a mistake. The Church is the universal Body of Christ that we joined when we were born of the Spirit and baptized in faith. There is another step we need to take intentionally beyond joining Christ's Church. Yes, we need to join up with a church, a local congregation that is an expression of the Church. In the church, we ideally find support, fellowship, and encouragement that help us to mature in faith. But churches are made up of real people, just like you and me, flawed people who are in the process of becoming holy, just like you and me, and therefore in addition to the good stuff, in the church we are called to greater service, get the sharp edges knocked off, are held accountable, and learn about the sacrificial qualities of love! It's a lot like being married. Marriage brings us days of bliss and days of anguish, but our covenant love keeps us together.
Many Believers have not understood their relationship to the church in terms of radical commitment akin to marriage. As a result, they are disappointed again and again, moving from church to church, in an endless search for a place that feeds their needs. They date churches endlessly, but never marry one! Thus, they never know the great joy that can only be experienced as a part of a team that is building the Kingdom of Christ. I wish I could explain to them the importance of forgetting about who talked to them, or if someone remembered to recognize them, or if what they did was properly valued. If the Tempter is allowed to stir up feelings of resentment toward members of Christ's Body, we fall into the sin of offense, which builds a high wall that divides us from those with whom we share a common faith and with whom we will live in Heaven! Worse, when we let resentment loose we start to attack what Christ loves! Think what it does to His heart when we tear down, for selfish reasons, the Bride (the Church) that He loves so much that He gave His life for her.
The New Testament is filled with references to the church. The word in original Biblical texts is one that means 'the ones called out.' In that time it referred to the Greek custom of calling the citizens of a town together to make decisions about community life. The Bible's writers adopted the term to describe those who were called out from the world to become citizens of Christ's community. While we have privatized our Christian faith to a great degree, that is not the norm of the New Testament. There we find the highest expression of Christian faith set squarely in the context of the church, the ecclesia, "those called out."
In Ephesians, we find this lofty description of God's plan for the Church. Paul says, "By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:7-11, NLT) God's plan is to use the church to demonstrate His grace and goodness to Heaven and Earth! Amazingly, He invites you and me to be part of that lofty and wonderful plan.
Join up! Make a radical commitment to the work of God in your local church, shifting focus from what the church does for me to what I do for God in the context of the Body.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"I ... beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 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.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." (Ephesians 4:1-6, NLT)
Are you, Believer, in the Body?
Are you committed to the Church and the church?
Think I just typed a line that is in error? That's not a mistake. The Church is the universal Body of Christ that we joined when we were born of the Spirit and baptized in faith. There is another step we need to take intentionally beyond joining Christ's Church. Yes, we need to join up with a church, a local congregation that is an expression of the Church. In the church, we ideally find support, fellowship, and encouragement that help us to mature in faith. But churches are made up of real people, just like you and me, flawed people who are in the process of becoming holy, just like you and me, and therefore in addition to the good stuff, in the church we are called to greater service, get the sharp edges knocked off, are held accountable, and learn about the sacrificial qualities of love! It's a lot like being married. Marriage brings us days of bliss and days of anguish, but our covenant love keeps us together.
Many Believers have not understood their relationship to the church in terms of radical commitment akin to marriage. As a result, they are disappointed again and again, moving from church to church, in an endless search for a place that feeds their needs. They date churches endlessly, but never marry one! Thus, they never know the great joy that can only be experienced as a part of a team that is building the Kingdom of Christ. I wish I could explain to them the importance of forgetting about who talked to them, or if someone remembered to recognize them, or if what they did was properly valued. If the Tempter is allowed to stir up feelings of resentment toward members of Christ's Body, we fall into the sin of offense, which builds a high wall that divides us from those with whom we share a common faith and with whom we will live in Heaven! Worse, when we let resentment loose we start to attack what Christ loves! Think what it does to His heart when we tear down, for selfish reasons, the Bride (the Church) that He loves so much that He gave His life for her.
The New Testament is filled with references to the church. The word in original Biblical texts is one that means 'the ones called out.' In that time it referred to the Greek custom of calling the citizens of a town together to make decisions about community life. The Bible's writers adopted the term to describe those who were called out from the world to become citizens of Christ's community. While we have privatized our Christian faith to a great degree, that is not the norm of the New Testament. There we find the highest expression of Christian faith set squarely in the context of the church, the ecclesia, "those called out."
In Ephesians, we find this lofty description of God's plan for the Church. Paul says, "By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:7-11, NLT) God's plan is to use the church to demonstrate His grace and goodness to Heaven and Earth! Amazingly, He invites you and me to be part of that lofty and wonderful plan.
Join up! Make a radical commitment to the work of God in your local church, shifting focus from what the church does for me to what I do for God in the context of the Body.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"I ... beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 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.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." (Ephesians 4:1-6, NLT)
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