*This week, we will focus on the book of Ephesians. The readings through August 31 walk through this classic letter of the Apostle Paul. I encourage you to read the book along with these devotionals, one chapter a day, mindful, of course, that there is no devotional on Saturday, August 31. But by then, you’ll be an expert on Ephesians! If you missed a day, all Think, Pray, Do, devotionals are archived at https://tedgoshorn.org/think-pray-do/. 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 4

…walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace:
Ephesians 4:1b-3

Growing up, we had these French doors between two rooms. I grew up in a dorm apartment; originally a modified set of four rooms and a hallway made into a two-bedroom apartment. Separating the living room (former hallway) from the dining room were French doors. Mom put these Bible verses in them and, when my brother Chris and I would fight, she’d inevitably point to the doors. 

One of those verses was verse 26 of this chapter: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…” This comes in a chapter full of lists, where Paul admonishes the church in Ephesus, and Christians for generations all the way to us today, to live a life worthy of the gospel. All of his commands define the opening of this chapter, the focus verse listed above: “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” 

Not only that, but to walk in such a way that “maintain[s] the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Paul is preaching peace in relationships, peace across the church. In Ephesus, as in all churches Paul served, as in the church today, people had a variety of opinions, some of which were in conflict with each other. 

Paul asks that the church have a spirit of peace. What does that mean? It means the list that follows in the chapter, yes, but more than that, it means to embrace one another first as members together on the same journey. The verses immediately following our focus text call us to that sense of oneness: we are all on the same journey, working for the same gospel. Whatever our differences, we must learn to work them out, in peace, for the sake of the gospel. 

Think
Consider someone with whom you disagree at church or on religious matters. What can you do today to cultivate peace in that relationship? 

Pray
Ask God for wisdom to cultivate peaceful relationship with those who hold different religious beliefs. 

Do
The next time you find yourself in a disagreement with someone about religious matters, ask yourself how you can maintain peace in that relationship. 

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.