Some define integrity as being the same person all the time. In Joshua 5 God invites his people to have a ritual and mark that points to a spiritual reality. That their lives are being transformed inside and out by their faith in God. We too are called not just to love Jesus by going to church or reading the bible, but having a faith that leaks into all of our lives, into the things you can see and cannot see.
In Ephesians we are told that unity among Christians is a gift from God. In fact this passage speaks about unity, among other things that are part of the calling that we have been given by God. In a world that has no shortage of polarization, we will reflect on the call God has placed in our lives that includes a life of unity among believers.
In a world where the phrase “like minded” gets tossed around a lot, we go to these verses to hear biblically what like-minded can look like. That unity is found in humility, love, listening, and extending grace. Different than our world’s picture of bold loud speech, inflammatory posts to social media, and headlines that drive clicks.
We know that our muscles grow and strength through resistance and challenge. As a pastor I hear the same from people, the seasons of their faith that are most formative, are often ones filled with challenges. Part of growing and stretching ourselves, is leaning into our faith with a sense of boldness. Not due to overconfidence, but trust in the one who is sending us.