During our worship services for the next few weekends, we’ll continue to go through the final chapters of Ephesians, focusing on unity. Sometimes we think that unity means everyone must think the same, do the same things, and maybe even look the same. Christianity’s view of unity is much different. As we heard last weekend, there is diversity in unity. However, there are certain things that will be the same. This weekend, we’ll focus in on unity in lifestyle and Paul’s words about certain actions and thoughts that are inappropriate for those in Christ, and the attitudes and actions that reflect Jesus. And that’s the key – reflecting Jesus who Himself gives us the perfect example of what it means to live as a human. So, in other words, when people see us, they should see consistency in our words and actions.

Yet, as we confess, we are sinners who do not always think and act as we should. Sometimes, we have the excuse that we can’t help it, that’s just the way we are. Sometimes we complain that it isn’t fair that we must go through the pressure of everyone scrutinizing our every move. Yet when we realize our faults and failures, we must ask ourselves, “Am I ok with not being all that God wants me to be?”

The wonder of living a Christian lifestyle is that God the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, is the One who sanctifies us, making us more and more like Jesus as He feeds us the very Bread of Life through time in the Word and receiving the Lord’s Supper. It’s not just a matter of following moral principles, but of God Himself making us who are dead in sin alive in Christ and patiently molding us and shaping us to more and more be like Jesus so that as we walk through this life with Him we reflect His love and care and the difference living with Him truly makes.

Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK #783, stanza 1