Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Reflection:

Tahir Iqbal was a Pakistani Muslim by birth who received a Bible from a friend and was subsequently converted to Christianity as he read it. After his conversion, he began to joyfully reach out and witness to others, especially the children in his village. On December 1990, Iqbal, a paraplegic, was arrested for his faith, where he remained imprisoned until his death. Aware that he could be executed by hanging, Iqbal said, “I’ll kiss my rope but I will never deny my faith.” As a prisoner who saw life beyond the threats in his own life, his life has become a testimony of a life worthy of the calling.
The Apostle Paul was arrested several times throughout his ministry and wrote many letters from prison. So from this perspective as a “prisoner for the Lord” he urges us to also passionately live out the calling we have received; a calling to be lived out jointly with fellow believers in the church. Through the Spirit’s empowering, we can experience the beauty of growing together in unity with humility, gentleness, patience and love for one another. Yes, as fellow “prisoners” for the Lord we have been called to one hope, one Lord, one faith, one God and Father of all!

Response:

Spend time in prayer today thanking God for this wonderful calling that you have received. Ask the Lord to open up your eyes to the reality of this life so that you too may experience the joy of serving together as part of His church in advancing His Kingdom!