Ephesians 4:1-6 — Conversations with God

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.

Lord Jesus, I want to walk in a manner that is worthy of Your calling.  You called me from absolute darkness to brilliant light.  You forgave all my sins, past, present and future.  You gave me Your Holy Spirit to live within me and help me to be all You made me to be.  You brought me into the fold of the promises to Israel and made me part of a sacred temple and holy family of redeemed ones from every nation.

It only seems right, then, that I show all humility and gentleness, rather than treating any believer as less than me or expecting others to submit to me.  I should show tolerance and patience to all my brothers and sisters in You.  I should never fail to work hard at promoting our unity, the unity to which the Holy Spirit called us.  I must seek to preserve the bond of peace You died to create.

And so I acknowledge one body and one Spirit.  Your true followers among Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox churches are my brothers and sisters, my arms and my legs, and those who have a share in the Spirit.  We share the same hope of our calling — life with You forever.

I acknowledge one Lord, You, my Savior, and one faith made possible by Your death and resurrection. There is only one baptism and I must not refuse anyone into my fellowship who has submitted to it.  And Father, I acknowledge You as the only God and Father of all, who rules over all that is, is using all that occurs to complete Your plan, and who is in every believer in the most intimate and grace-filled of ways and even at work in those who have not yet submitted to Your rule.