Amy Boucher Pye

Tag: unity

  • Devotional of the week: The bond of peace (7 in Ephesians series)

    Original artwork by Beverley Grace.
    Original artwork by Beverley Grace.

    As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1–6)

    Up until this week’s text, Paul has not given correction or made demands on his readers. Then in just a few lines, he lays out a series of directives for right living. Because Christ has made his home within us and we are rooted in his love, we are able to live in a way that brings glory to him. Namely being humble, gentle, and patient, putting up with others in love and seeking to keep unity.

    Today these attributes are counter-cultural. Humbleness can be seen as weakness, as an invitation for others to run riot over us. Gentleness can disappear like a vapor in the rough and tumble of life, as we rush from one important matter to the next. Patience wears thin when we have too many demands and feel inadequate. Selfishness often supersedes loving each other. And unity breaks down at the first whiff of conflict.

    And yet, this is what we are called to and what we are equipped for with Christ at our center. We were made for others, and only experience the true riches of Christ when we live in community. Here we work out our faith, sometimes with fear and trembling. If we pause in the heat of the moment, reflecting that Christ lives within, we can apportion his grace to make us gentle and loving as we put our fellows before ourselves.

    As you seek the one God and Father, the one Lord and the one Spirit, may you have hope and faith in him who is over, through and in all.

    For reflection: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4).

  • Devotional of the week: Philippians 2:2

    Like Minded

     

    “…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2

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    Rublev’s icon of the Trinity – the gold standard of like-mindedness

    “What do you have in mind?” one friend asks the others as they decide where to go out to eat. A trivial example, admittedly, but when friends reach a common mind, the chosen restaurant can foster a setting for rich conversation and communion. Whereas if one person claims not to care, or doesn’t voice their desires out of fear, he or she may end up stewing all evening, affecting the mood of everyone.

    Here the apostle Paul tells the believers at Philippi to put aside their individual agendas and concerns in favor of those of their neighbours. As they each seek the mind of Christ, they will be brought together in a common purpose. With the Holy Spirit living and breathing through them, they will find unity with each other. The comfort, compassion, tenderness, and love they receive from God is what they can pass on to strangers and neighbors.

    Being like-minded with those whom we live or work or worship can, of course, be a challenge. We all have our own ideas about what constitutes right living, and often we don’t hold back from sharing with others – whether which is the right way to fold the clothes or mow the lawn or manage a project.

    Is there a “difficult” person in your life? If so, perhaps this week you could challenge yourself to seek unity with them on just one issue.

     

    Father God, in you we live and move and have our being. May we gain the mind of Christ. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: Philippians 2:1

    Clothed in Christ

     

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    The robes of righteousness – bestowed to us via the cross of Christ

    “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…” Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

    Union with Christ – an unattainable mystery or a life-changing reality? The apostle Paul would argue for the latter; this gift of Jesus dwelling in us appears throughout his letters to the churches, including this letter to Philippi. As we slough off the old self – that which is prone to anger, bitterness, jealousy, greed – and put on the new – that which is marked by peace, faithfulness, goodness, self-control – we put on Jesus. As Paul said to the Romans, we clothe ourselves with Jesus (13:14), outside and in.

    In this crisp passage we’ll be focusing on for the next few weeks, Paul is concerned with the unity of believers that springs forth from our union in Christ. Though he was away from the church at Philippi, held in a prison for his beliefs, yet he pours himself out for those whom he is concerned, imploring them to live as new creations.

    Have you enjoyed a friendship with someone who, like Paul, champions you and your faith, even when sometimes that feels uncomfortable? When I’ve been on the receiving end of admonition or constructive criticism, I’ve felt an initial sting. But after prayer and reflection, and maybe just a bit of controlled ranting, I can see how God has used that person to challenge me to be more authentically the person he has made me to be.

    May we too, be open to speaking God’s words of love and wisdom.

     

    Triune God, may we put off the old self today and live clothed in Jesus. Amen.