Episode 919
Radical Unity: A Call to Collective Action
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
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A meticulous examination of Ephesians 4:1-6 underscores the imperative for radical unity among believers, particularly as we navigate an increasingly polarized world. The speaker eloquently posits that faith should catalyze active engagement rather than withdrawal from societal challenges. This call to ‘run on the road God called you to travel’ serves as a rallying cry for individuals to approach their spiritual journeys with vigor and purpose, thereby rejecting the notion of a passive spirituality that offers no transformative impact upon the world.
In addition, the discussion revolves around the concept of ‘revolutionary humility,’ which is framed not as a diminishment of self but as an expansion of space for diverse voices within the community. Such humility necessitates a recognition of our interconnectedness, fostering an environment where hierarchies are dismantled in favor of shared power and mutual respect. The speaker further elucidates that radical inclusivity challenges entrenched tribalism, inviting listeners to celebrate diversity while affirming the core belief in our fundamental unity as children of God.
The episode culminates with actionable insights that encourage listeners to practice ‘bridge building discipline.’ By intentionally engaging with those outside their social circles, individuals can cultivate humility through listening and learning. This practical application of the biblical principles discussed serves to enrich personal faith while simultaneously contributing to a broader communal ethos of unity and reconciliation. The episode concludes with a prayer that seeks divine guidance in fostering unity in a world fraught with division, affirming the commitment to uphold the dignity and presence of every individual within the spiritual community.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of unity in the context of Ephesians 4:1-6, urging listeners to actively pursue collective action rather than remaining passive in their spiritual journey.
- Dr. Brad Miller articulates a call for revolutionary humility, advocating for the recognition of interconnectedness among individuals and the dismantling of hierarchies that promote division.
- Listeners are encouraged to practice radical inclusivity, celebrating diversity while acknowledging the fundamental oneness that binds all humanity, thus challenging systems of exclusion and marginalization.
- The episode presents a practical action step, which involves intentionally engaging with communities outside one's own social circle to foster understanding and connection, thereby building bridges of unity.
- The discussion highlights that active faith should be seen as a form of resistance in a divided world, promoting engagement rather than withdrawal from societal challenges.
- Finally, the podcast underscores the need for courage in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation, encouraging participants to embrace humility and wisdom in their interactions with others.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
The Path of Radical Unity A Study of Ephesians 4:1:6 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello my good friends, Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh bringing you a reading of the New Testament from the Message version Every single day.
Speaker A:We make it from the Message to make it understandable.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving you an interpretation of three points to ponder.
Speaker A:Make it applicable by giving you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary for the selected verse for this very day we are in year C of a three year cycle to Pentecost season.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgod daily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A:Let's get into today's reading from Ephesians 4:1:6 reading from the Message to be mature in light of all this, here's what I want you to do while I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master.
Speaker A:I want you to get out there and walk.
Speaker A:Better yet, run on the road God called you to travel.
Speaker A:I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands.
Speaker A:I don't want anyone strolling off down some path that goes nowhere.
Speaker A:And mark that you do this with humility and discipline, not in fits and starts, but steadily pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
Speaker A:You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction.
Speaker A:So stay together both outwardly and inwardly.
Speaker A:You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all.
Speaker A:Everything you are and think and do is permeated with with oneness.
Speaker A:Well, here we are, friends, talking about in this reflection a powerful message from Ephesians about unity, purpose and collective action that speaks directly to a time in our in our world which is really divided.
Speaker A:Here's some points to ponder.
Speaker A:Active Faith as Resistance the author, writing from prison, calls followers to run on their divine path.
Speaker A:This isn't passive spirituality.
Speaker A:It's active engagement with the world at a time when many use faith to withdraw from society's challenges.
Speaker A:This is a passage that calls us to move with purpose and urgency, and our spiritual journey isn't about escape but about transformative presence in the world.
Speaker A:Another point is about revolutionary humility.
Speaker A:The call for humility isn't about making ourselves small.
Speaker A:It's about creating space for all voices to be heard.
Speaker A:True humility means recognizing our interconnectedness and dismantling hierarchies that elevate some while silencing others.
Speaker A:It's about building communities where power is shared rather than hoarded.
Speaker A:A third point to ponder is about radical inclusivity.
Speaker A:The emphasis on oneness challenges tribalism and exclusion.
Speaker A:This unity isn't about enforced uniformity, but about celebrating our diversity while recognizing our fundamental interconnections.
Speaker A:When the text speaks of God being, quote, present in all, it calls us to recognize divine presence in every person, challenging systems that dehumanize or marginalize any group of people.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Practice bridge building discipline that is, Identify a group or community that somehow is not connected to your social circle or that your social circle tends to avoid or dismiss.
Speaker A:And make a deliberate, intentional effort to learn from their perspective.
Speaker A:Maybe attend one of their gatherings or read some of their writings from their writers, or listen to their voices, or listen to podcasts from their from their podcasters.
Speaker A:Practice the humility of listening and learning from those you've been taught to discount and document what this experience teaches you about unity and division in your context.
Speaker A:We're going to come back with a closing prayer here in just a minute, but I want you to know that we have a great resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You pick it up at our website, voiceofgod daily.com it will help you with your daily Bible study.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:O God, you are the source of unity and we live in a world that profits from our division.
Speaker A:So help us resist the forces that would separate us from our siblings, our brothers and sisters in humanity.
Speaker A:Give us courage to run, not walk towards justice and reconciliation.
Speaker A:When we're tempted to strengthen walls, remind us of your presence in all people.
Speaker A:Grant us humility to learn from those we've ignored and and wisdom to build bridges where others see only chasms.
Speaker A:Fill us with your spirit of unity that doesn't erase differences, but celebrates it.
Speaker A:In the name of the One who broke down dividing walls, we pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, good people, it's always a joy to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining me.
Speaker A: ionaires, a million people by: Speaker A:You do that by subscribing to the podcast here on the website Voice of God daily or on Spotify or on Apple podcast.
Speaker A:Remember that we are here to offer the audible word of God every day before 6am so join us and bring a friend.
Speaker A:We'll see you next time, friends.
Speaker A:My name.
Speaker A:Until then, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Sharing with you that God's love, loyal love, doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
