98. Friday after Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.
Let thy truth and love, O God,
penetrate our souls. Amen.
Ephesians 4, 11-16. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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In the midst of all confusion do you follow your course straight onward in humility and love, and hold fast that which you heard from the beginning. When one cries: “Lo, here is Christ,” and another cries: No; but Christ is here,” do not go after them, nor follow them. Now, you have, I trust, enough of faith and knowledge of the Son of God to know that in nothing is the devil more active than in founding sects and parties. To rend, to tear asunder, to cut in pieces the body of Christ; surely, this is the devil’s own work. Let us henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro as waves, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Let us now walk as sober men, and labor in truth and love for the Lord, in every way serving one another. Do not retreat by the breadth of a hair from that which you know to be true; but love all the children of God, even if they may not be of one mind with you in all things. Seek to acquire clear and fixed convictions, that you may know what the truth is and cling to it with unswerving loyalty; but though you be never so unyielding, do not violate the law of love, and do not lose your spirit of humility. You shall not seek strife; but neither shall you be a coward and desert your post when you are attacked. “Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.” (Nehemiah 4, 17). Go your way onward in goodness and active charity; then shall you promote your own growth and edify others. The necessary strength has been given us. The word and Spirit are present with the grace required for the growth of the body of Christ. Labor hopefully, however dark the outlook; in the end all who speak the truth in love shall become one in faith. It is a grand object for which to strive. God, give us this great grace, that we may at all times speak the truth in love. Give us this grace, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.*
Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait,
Observant of his heavenly word,
And watchful at his gate.
Let all our lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame;
Gird up your loins, as in his sight,
For awful is his name.
[Common Service Book 377; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.