“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

Life in the body of Christ is a beautiful, messy, sacred thing. The church is made up of people from every walk of life—with different stories, personalities, and perspectives. While that diversity is part of God’s design and gift to our church, it can also lead to tension and hurt. That’s why Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:2 are both timely and necessary: we are called to bear with one another in love.

To “bear with one another in love” is a reflection of Christ’s own posture toward us. He doesn’t cast us aside when we fall short, and he doesn’t grow weary of our weakness. Instead, Jesus meets us with compassion and steadfast love. When we bear with one another in love, we are embodying the very heart of the gospel which is what unites us together. 

This phrase “bear with one another” implies more than just tolerating each other. It invites us to a deeper kind of relationship; one marked by humility and patience. It means we walk alongside each other, even when it’s hard. It means we make room for one another’s flaws. It means we keep showing up with grace, even when we disagree. It means we don’t walk away when things don’t fit our perspective

What would it look like for us to be a community who is humble in spirit, gentle in word, and persistent in love? How do we find our strength not in shared opinions, but in our shared identity as members of one body—the body of Christ?

May the Spirit of the living God do a deep work in us.  May he shape our hearts to reflect the gentleness of Christ and form in us a love that bears all things and draws us together as one people who find our unity in the gospel of grace.