31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN

DAY THIRTY-ONE

  • 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love in Action 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The church, filled with the Spirit and living in mutuality, is sent into the world to join God in the redemption and reconciliation of all things. It is this movement outward in unity, that allows us to participate in God’s healing work and to offer the world a foretaste of the kingdom of God. As we read these passages we are seeking to expand our imagination for how we are called to love and serve the world. In this cultural moment, how does our world most need us to live with sacrificial love? Where is God already working around us? What opportunities exist for us to boldly step out in love to glorify God and bring redemption to the brokenness around us?

As you reflect on the passage for the day, ask yourself these questions:

  • How is the heart of God being revealed in this passage?

  • What vision for the church is the Spirit providing? Is there a metaphor, picture, word, or idea that the Spirit is gifting you?

  • How is God breaking your heart and drawing you into deeper compassion for the world?

  • How can unity change our witness to the beauty of God?


TODAY’S PRAYER

Jesus, you did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to bring salvation. May your light shine brightly through your children, that in our love of one another, the unity of the Church, and our service to the world, they may see your glory and be drawn into life with you. Amen

Commentary: (Re)deem

Video Reflection

Today’s video reflection is from Christine Hung, Assistant District Superintendent Northern California District of the Church of the Nazarene.