Walking in a Manner Worthy of Our Calling - Showing Tolerance for One Another in Love

The apostle Paul penned these words to the believers at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:1-3

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What stands out to me is the phrase "showing tolerance for one another in love." The meaning of this statement is that it takes work to be a part of a church family. There is to be a constant extension of mercy; a putting up with one another even when we feel we are being abused or neglected in the process. There are so many different backgrounds, different expectations; different abilities; and different interests. And yet we ALL have the same commonality - OUR UNION WITH CHRIST. He has brought all this diversity together, in unity here at Hope CBC, order to accomplish something far greater than we can readily imagine.

What breaks up unity of diversity is any combination of the world, the flesh and devil. We may not be able to control the world and the devil, but we can and are to exercise control over the flesh (our feelings, our wills, our emotions, our wants, etc. - Galatians 5:22-23). Sometimes in church life we have to exercise "tolerance" - forbearance; but not just neutrally, but to show it, reveal it, LIVE IT, for one another "in love." This statement, "showing tolerance for one another in love" is like a blanket that is thrown over the sins and irritants of others, not in order to justify or excuse them, but to keep such things from becoming bigger in our own eyes as we seek to minister to one another. Such a tolerance has the idea of even taking abuse from others while continuing to love them.

And what of this love? This is agape love - that is a seeking of the highest good of one another regardless of personal cost and all to the glory of God. This is what we are called to. This is a "walking in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called" (Ephesians 4:1). This is keeping Christ as central and primary in our lives. The world will know that Jesus Christ has been sent by God as we demonstrate love, tolerant love, to one another.

EACH ONE OF US has a role, a part, an important gift of grace to contribute to the well-being of the the Body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10), to the exaltation of Christ and all to the glory of God. Let us pray for and learn our roles here at Hope CBC. Our flesh will come up with excuses not to serve, not to participate, not to be engaged; because of circumstances or people or whatever. At these times we must show tolerance to one another in love. So, when considering your plans and activities will you keep the following in mind?

We can so easily fall into the trap of doing what is right in our own eyes, which is really another way of saying, "doing what seems best for me." The real questions are;

1) Is this best for the glory of Christ (Colossians 1:18);

2) Is this best for the body of Christ (the fellowship - Hebrews 10:24-25); and

3) Is this best for the witness of Christ (evangelism - Matthew 5:16). (taken from the Hope CBC discussion board on Facebook. To read the entire discussion, please click here).

ONLY after I have prayerfully answered those questions can I rightly consider myself.

My heart aches for all of you with all the affection of Christ. Let us press on together for the cause of Christ, encouraging one another in the faith and evangelizing the lost to the glory of God.

For the glory of the Father and the exaltation of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit,

Pastor Ed