Beloved, we find in Eph. 4:1-3 that the proper posture of a worthy walk is to have an eager readiness to do God’s will. And as Paul makes clear, this involves embracing godly attitudes (“…with all humility, gentleness, and patience…”), and fulfilling godly actions (“…bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”).
How could we whom God in Christ has so chosen, adopted, redeemed, and lavished with immeasurable grace (Eph. 1-3!), not joyfully and earnestly love one another for His pleasure and glory? Nothing is more basic to our calling as His children than this, that we passionately care for one another as our Father cares for us! So it is that these blessed obligations are expressed in our “Membership Commitment” to each other at RCG:
I will walk humbly in love with my brothers and sisters in Christ, regarding others as more important than myself, speaking with wisdom and graciousness for the edification of others, giving and receiving admonition with gentleness and patience, and eagerly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation whenever transgression may break the bond of peace with any brother or sister. I will diligently pray for and work for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in this church.
I encourage you to pause, and consider 1 or 2 specific ways, with specific people, God would have you “walk worthy” in these matters. Perhaps it’s a prayer, a phone call, a note, an invitation to dinner, some gift of kindness, by which you can encourage a brother or sister in Christ. Perhaps you’ve noticed someone who’s been absent from our gatherings for some time. Perhaps you should seek them out in love.
Oh beloved, how amazing that God would design to manifest His holy love through us His children! And how endless are the tangible ways His love can be expressed toward one another! May we continue to cultivate this proper posture of a worthy walk, that Jesus’ promise would be all the more fulfilled through us:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:35)
Praying for you, and with you, to this end,
Greg