From the Home Place

May 31, 2026

At 4 a.m., the temperature is 46 degrees and the birds are happy. The sparrows are already singing because we were blessed with almost a quarter of an inch of rain yesterday evening! There are reports of many receiving over an inch of rain at the same time, Praise the LORD! Today’s high is to be around 75 with a slight chance of rain this afternoon and a repeat for tomorrow.

Please stop and grab your Bible. As you read Ephesians 4:1-6, note that there are several interesting facts about these verses when kept within their chapter context, but for today, we will focus upon just one of those facts. Ephesians 4:1 tells us to “walk in a manner worthy of” our “calling.” The “calling” to salvation and service both come from God the Father. Often, we hear a person say something like, “When I found Jesus.” Loved ones, God calls us to salvation in Christ Jesus. In a real sense, believers go from sinners to saints primarily because of God’s calling, not our finding Jesus.

In verse 1, Paul is challenging each of us to “walk” – live our lives in such a way that others will see our life transformation and open their spiritual ears to hear the call of God. In the book of Romans, Paul indicates that many will hear the call, but few will answer the call. You see, once we are called by God to come to Jesus, we still have to individually answer the call. With all of the noise and buniness of our world, Paul would indicate that not everyone who receives the call will come to Jesus for salvation.

Yet for those who do, he now challenges us to “walk”, to live our lives in accordance with God’s call. When a person answers God’s call to come to Jesus, such a person is to now live for the Savior, not for self. It seems to be at this one point that many miss the mark. Too often we attempt to add Jesus to our already overly busy life, often adding more frustration and failure. Instead, we are to allow Jesus to become Lord of our life, thus giving purpose and clarity to life. Remember, Jesus invites us to “walk” with Him in a manner that reveals Jesus. Satan would tempt each of us to live our lives in such a way that people notice that we are so awesome since Jesus decided to walk with us.

In verse 4-6 we read of the number “one,” mentioned seven times. When a person is reading the Bible, it is important to notice that which is repeated. Here, the seven mentions of “one” would be considered to be extremely important.

Within these verses we find the sources of the “one” that Jesus prayed His disciples would experience. That they would “be one” in the say way that Jesus and the Father are one. In America we celebrate individuality, in the Bible Jesus prays for oneness. And that oneness should be revealed within His body, the church. With all of our prideful clamoring to be number one, we the church, too often fail to reveal the true One.

The people around us need to see the humility, the joy, the peace and the unity of walking with Jesus. You see my friends, I’m of the opinion that many church families too often show, pride, judgementalism, fear and separation instead of oneness. Too often we fail to “walk” with Jesus when we use words like “can’t” or “won’t.” Our “one calling” challenges us to be available, moldable, and dependable as our Lord invites us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”

As we go to church today, may we each do our part to be the church! A people of “one” revealing the One!

Seeking oneness with you, Neal