The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is a prize worthy of our sincere and earnest efforts.

Psalm 8:1

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Ephesians 4. Verses 1-3 spoke to my heart:

Ephesians 4:1 ¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Ephesians 4:2 ¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how God emphasized “Peace” in the Christmas narrative: John the Baptist would prepare the way for Jesus to come show us the “way of peace” (Luke 1:79; 2:14; see Isaiah 59:8; and Romans 3:17). So when I read these opening verses in Ephesians 4, I thought the LORD wanted me to meditate further on this today, to endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Jesus’ incarnation is connected to peace in another birth prophecy: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). I thought how wonderful it is that our LORD, Who is “The prince of the kings of the earth.”(Revelation 1:5) is the Prince of Peace. Few will walk in the “way of peace” that He provided. Indeed, the Son of David said, “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:7). Indeed, the heathen rage, and the kings of the earth take counsel how they might break the bands and cords of Christ. So we have wars and rumors of them (Matthew 24:6). 

Along the still waters, the Spirit spoke to me, saying that at least in His Church,. and among His disciples, surely there will be peace. But this is something we must pursue, and it is not only a noble, but also a challenging endeavor. The word endeavor carries the following ideas: “To use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest: — do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study” (Strong’s G4704). Let’s do all these things to keep the peace He has given to us.

You see, we have it, that is, we have His peace. It’s part of the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace …” (Galatians 5:22). It’s ours! But we must keep it.

The word keep translates τηρέω (tereo, tay-reh´-o); it comes from τερός teros (Strong’s G5083). It carries the following meaning: “(A watch; perhaps akin to 2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from 5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from 2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried): — hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch” (Strong’s G5083). Do yourself a good service and think how each of the terms presented in Strong’s effort to bring out the various nuances of this word contribute some understanding about what is involved in keeping the peace between brethren.

Keep watch over the peace. Guard it from loss or injury. Do this buy keeping an eye on it. And the related words contribute something to us also: prevent it from escaping [G5442], guard it with the care and concern of a soldier guarding his post [G2892]. Include the idea of detaining the peace, don’t let it escape. Withhold the peace for personal benefit, and for the good of Christ and His Church. Hold it fast!

Of course, the number one enemy of the peace is offense—trespassing against a brother or a sister. Jesus spoke much about the danger posed against peace by offenses: “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” (Luke 17:1).

First, consider that we need to endeavor to roll with offenses wherever we can: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165). Let me be mindful of any beams in my own eyes before I start picking motes from the eyes of any of His children: “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:3).

Second, obey Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18:15-20. When someone offends us, we are instructed to go to that person alone and try to reconcile. If we cannot reconcile, witnesses are invited to hear what is said between the parties of the offense. These parties may render an opinion about the matter, and if the offended party refuses to hear them, or either side refuses to be reconciled, then it is taken to the church. The church hears the testimony of both parties, questions witnesses, etc., and renders a final decision. If either side refuses to accept the judgment of the Church, that party is to be treated like an unbeliever. This means they are removed from the membership and barred from attending the Lord’s Supper. They can attend any public assembly of the church, like any other heathen or publican.

It’s important to understand that if someone trespasses against you, it means they have violated Christ’s commandments. If someone hurts our feelings, we do not take that to the church. The church does not cast someone from membership for personal offenses unless the offender has violated Christ’s commandments and created actual damages to the offended party (1 Corinthians 6). However, I would say that following Jesus’ instructions is best in either case.*

The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is a prize worthy of the endeavor. Jesus does not want us to live with resentment toward anyone, especially not against a brother or a sister in Christ. Do whatever you can to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, especially during Christmas. Let’s honor the Prince of Peace!

In the valley, Jesus impressed on me a truth He taught me long ago: “Only by pride cometh contention.” In fact, the Spirit moved me to look at this verse, I did, and I’m glad I followed the prompt. Here is the verse: Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Pride alienates us from GOD (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).**

Isn’t it interesting that the contrast is set between prideful contention and sound advice? I think you received wisdom in this devotional that, if received, makes you among the “well advised”!

Just then, Jesus spoke to my heart the root cause of so-called “irreconcilable differences.” It’s pride! And pride is denied power in our lives when we heed His call: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, my Shepherd “washed my feet” (John 13:10-14; 1 John 1:7-9). And I turned, in deep gratitude, and washed His with my tears (Luke 7:44). He accepted my worship! He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. We walked together into the harvest. I peaked back over my shoulder, and there were goodness and mercy following close.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v73ej1c-shepherds-pasture.html

[*If someone has hurt our feelings, it’s a good idea to speak with the offender privately and attempt to sort it out. If reconciliation is impossible, you might want to escalate it to the next level, but I would not recommend it, unless you are connected to that person in some way that makes it impossible to live at peace without full reconciliation. This is rare, but it does happen. In such a case, if the wound is deep, and the offended party finds it is beyond what lies in them (Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men) the two steps in Matthew 18:15-16 are the best way to move toward reconciliation. After these two steps are taken, it might help to involve pastoral counseling, but it should not be sought without both parties being involved.]

[**James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Peter 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.]