In a world filled with division, this verse from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is more relevant than ever. Paul isn’t just suggesting we get along; he’s calling us to “make every effort.” This isn’t a passive wish but an active pursuit, a deliberate choice to work for harmony in our relationships with one another.
Unity isn’t about uniformity. It’s not about everyone being the same, thinking the same, or acting the same. Instead, it’s about a shared purpose and a common faith in Christ. The “unity of the Spirit” is a gift already given to us through our the cross. Our task is to “keep” it, to protect and nurture this precious gift.
How do we do this? Through the “bond of peace.” Peace isn’t just the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness and well-being. It’s the fruit of a heart surrendered to God’s will. This peace enables us to overlook minor offenses, to forgive one another, and to extend grace as we have received it. When we choose peace, we are actively strengthening the ties that bind us as believers.
Let us commit today to “make every effort” to be peacemakers. Let us seek understanding over argument, grace over judgment, and love over division. In doing so, we become living examples of the unity Christ died to create.