Real Hope: Unite in HopeSample

## Unity In Truth So Christ himself chose the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and the teachers to equip his people for works of service. This was done so that the body of Christ would be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. We are to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants: tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by every wind of teaching, and led astray by the cunning craftiness and deceitful scheming of sinful people. Life was simpler when we all knew right from wrong, hey? Now it seems everyone is right – and the truth is whatever they want it to be. Standing in the checkout line, I found myself inwardly nodding in fervent support of the lamenting bargain hunters ahead of me. My mind drifted away to those simpler days when there was unanimous agreement on the right and wrong of things. Halcyon days indeed. Right? Alas, no. From that very first moment when mankind fell for ‘another truth’ in the Garden of Eden, humanity has invested lifetimes into finding ‘truth’ on our own. Today’s reading reminds us that generations have been tossed about by the waves and winds of the deceitful schemers. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, God is not merely asking for unity. He is equipping His people to come together. The truth Paul speaks of is a transformative one, drawing communities together, single-minded in developing their relationship with Christ. While at times, it may feel like Truth is losing the battle, do not lose hope. Unity isn’t so much about ‘sameness’, but rather, it's about using your unique contribution to serve everybody’s collective well-being. How can you do that today? #### Written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES