Belief and Behavior…Being and Doing!

It is a troubling, more challenging circumstance when you work with others who are not “with you” or you “with them”. When one works for self, trying to get a higher positional status among the others, it actually brings the one down lower in God’s eyes. The person is not trusted by the others. It makes attaining the goal even more difficult. It is not just about doing the work, but doing it together.

He made us all equal, with different abilities and gifts, but equal. He wants His kids to see each other as He sees us…as one, going after what He has asked us to be and do…as one Body. It is working and moving toward the same goal as one Body of believers. No one is “less than” another. We all belong to Him. We all are needed for each other. We all hurt at times. As One we rush to the aid of the hurt. We are all blessed beyond our wildest dreams. As One we rush to be happy with the other, too. We are all equally blessed by our Father in heaven who wants us to realize His great love for each one of us. No one is more special than the other. We are all His kids. We are all unconditionally loved.

Paul begins to tell us what it means to be One and gives us a kick in the pants to get going and “grow up” in chapter four. Yes, this is the turning point in his letter to the Ephesians. It is as if he is saying, now that you know to Whom you belong and you are sure of Whom you believe…this is how to behave!

Ephesians 4, The Message

4 1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

What do we learn?
–As I used to tell first graders, “Look around, you are not the only one in the room”. Help each other.
–We are One as believers. Help each other.
–We are differently created “masterpieces” by the Creator, but we are equally loved and cared for according to our real needs as seen by the Father.
–So stay together. We need each other.

Dear Heavenly Father, There is so much “heavenly thinking” in this passage. On this earth we are not perfectly “one” as you would like. Help us to attain this goal. We know that when we are one with You there is no limit to what You will do in and through us for Your glory and for helping others know You. So, help us to read, meditate and then just do it.
In Jesus Name, Amen