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. (Ephesians 4:1–4)
Living in peace and unity with like-minded people is easy, but making an effort to live in peace with everyone… what does that look like?
It’s important to remember that Jesus never commands us to think or act the same as our neighbors but to pursue unity through the bond of peace. That means we can choose to exercise our gift of peace from the Holy Spirit even when we disagree with people. Our lifelong pursuit is peace, not agreement or convincing, but the choice to sacrifice the comfort of “sameness” for the richness in unity.
Is there a relationship in your life that needs the presence of peace? Ask God to fill you with the peace he gives through the Holy Spirit and show you how to grow in unity with others. Ask him to help you follow his command to make every effort to live in peace with everyone.
