Ephesians 2: 1-7 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.  All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.  But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Timothy Keller, in a sermon he gave on unity in the church, told the story of a Bosnian man who was living in the United States.  This man told Keller that he had come to understand that Republicans and Democrats hated each other in this country.  He, being a Democrat, was no fan of Republicans.  But, he said, if he ever encountered a fellow Bosnian, he would embrace him regardless of his political affiliation.  Why?  Because the two were united in a bond that surpassed politics – they had been through life and death together.

As Christians, we have been through death and life together.  We’ve been dead in our own sins, and reborn into new creations.  This bond should surpass politics, and any other differences we have with each other.

Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, help us to live and act in a way worthy of You.  Help us to be humble and gentle, patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults and differences.  Help us to always try to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so to be at peace with one another.  Amen.  (Based on Ephesians 4:1-3)