21 January 2026

St. Paul not only said, ‘There is one body and one Spirit.’ He also said that we should  make every effort ‘to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’.(Ephesians 4;3) The bond of peace is what we read about in the Gospel of St. John where Jesus says something very significant about the crucifixion.

‘I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’  (St. John 12;32) His ministry makes  people  one through the power of his unifying ‘one Spirit’. It  is beautifully summarised in his letter to Colossians.

‘Through Christ, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of the cross’. (Colossians 1;20) The ministry of Christ is a ministry of love which is prepared to suffer and die for the other, exercising a ministry of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace-making.

Celebrating the unity which is established in our baptism and enfolded by  the doctrinal standards of our ‘Book of Confessions’  is one thing but it is in how we relate on  a personal level which will ultimately make the most effective  difference to our world.

‘I beg you,’ says St. Paul from prison, ‘I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4;1,2)

These are the marks of our ministry. Humility – seeking the good of others, gentleness – not being deflected by slights, insults, injuries, patience - or being long as opposed to short-tempered, forbearing one another – tolerating others with good-humour, seeking forgiveness and securing unity.

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