Doing Life... Together!

Ephesians 4:1-3

We have a commitment within NSC to "do life together." It's now a 13-year experiment, which asks, "Is there a group of people who will love one another no matter what and keep on going together for God?" That's the vision God has given us. To love, forbear with, and forgive each other, growing together in the Lord year after year. As you would expect, it takes a lot of sweat and tears.

Ephesians 4:2-3 hits the nail on the head of how this commitment works. "Walk . . . with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eager to maintain means I am willing to work hard at unity - no matter what it costs me. This kind of sacrifice isn't about money or time; it goes to the core of who you are. The strength behind this pledge is in the sacrifice of yourself.

Your opinions, your entitlements, your injured feelings - these are what you give up for the sake of unity. This is how far you will go to "do life" with your spiritual family. Always caring, always trying to work it out, always helping. Why? Because you like the person? Not always. You do it because you want to honour God.

Paul tells the people of Ephesus to have attitude of humility - the choice to carry a weight rather than inflict a wrong. If you are having a difficult time walking this out or even believing it is true, what the Bible clearly teaches, swallow your argument and agree to disagree. What clearer evidence could there be that God is at work in you?

But what if someone disappoints you again after years of patience and love? You may say in frustration, "Do I still have to put up with this?" The answer is, "Yes, you do!" God is watching how we treat each other and honours every time we roll up our sleeves to do the hard but right thing.

That's what we've signed up for in our church body. Though it is easier to tap dance out of relationships as soon as our weaknesses begin to show or a disagreement arises, we've decided to be followers of Christ who love each other anyway. We are committed to covenantal relationships!

We don't always get it right, but we're working hard at unity. Why? Because our eyes are on Christ and we want the One who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death to get the greater glory.