Audio
Bearing with One Another
Reflection: Lisa Seah
Voice: Lisa Seah
Today is Monday, the 12th of May. Praise be to the Lord for this day.
The Psalm Reading of the Day is Psalm 103: 1 – 11:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as It was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.
The Scripture Reading is taken from Ephesians 4:1-16:
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Reflection
The exhortation in Ephesians 4 is straightforward. St. Paul urges the body of Christ to bear with one another and to demonstrate gentleness, humility, and patience as we relate to each other. In doing so, we live in a manner worthy of our calling—God’s call on our lives—to be in right relationship with Him.
We all know what it’s like to have unresolved tension with others. We may sing, praise, and even pray, yet it feels distant. We’re just mouthing the words while our hearts remain far away. We hesitate to enter the inner courts of His throne room as uneasiness weighs on our hearts.
Right relationship with others helps us to have a right relationship with God.
The early church was probably not a perfect model of love, humility, and gentleness either. Even St. Paul had a significant disagreement with Barnabas, and they eventually parted ways. No wonder Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ, but not your Christians.”
To “bear with” someone means to endure—to remain connected even when it’s difficult, to offer grace in the face of weakness or even offense. It’s not passive tolerance but an active commitment to walk with others through their imperfections and to acknowledge our own shortcomings.
This kind of love is not always easy. Personalities clash. Opinions differ. Hurts happen. Our modern society, driven by instant gratification and self-interest, doesn’t help. Yet St. Paul reminds us that we are one body, one spirit, holding on to the same hope.
When we choose patience over irritation, gentleness over judgment, and forgiveness over resentment, we grow into maturity and Christ-likeness. And so doing so, we are better equipped to stand against human cunning, craftiness, and deceitful schemes.
Even as you read or listen to this, the Lord may have already brought someone to mind—someone with whom you need to make peace with. Perhaps it’s someone who hurt you deeply, betrayed your trust, or spoke words they shouldn’t have. It might even be a close family member with whom you’re holding a grudge, but have lacked the courage to address the issue.
May the Lord grant you wisdom, peace, and courage to take that step of faith and reconcile with this person.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me what it truly means to bear with others in love—especially those who have wounded me. When I’m tempted to withdraw, to give up, or to hold on to resentment, remind me of Your steadfast love and unfailing mercy toward me. You do not treat me as my sins deserve, but with grace upon grace.
Help me to see others through Your eyes—to recognize their worth, their brokenness, and their potential in You. Shape my heart to reflect Your patience, Your gentleness, and Your love. Let my words and actions build up Your body, not tear it down. Form Christ in me, that I may grow in maturity and become more like You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Collect
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Be blessed by this rendition of the Prayer of St Francis, by written & performed by Jean Tan and Sherise Netanya.
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Daily Devotion 
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