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The Daily Devotional
Thursday, January 22, 2026
United by Water, Bound by Faith
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” — Ephesians 4:5
Introduction
Welcome to Day 5 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today, our focus turns to the foundational pillars of our Christian identity. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul issues a passionate plea for unity, urging believers to maintain the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He reminds us that our connection to one another is not based on mere agreement or shared cultural preferences, but on spiritual realities that are unchangeable: we serve the same Lord, we hold to the same essential faith, and we have been washed by the same baptism.
Reflection
In a world that often highlights our differences—political, socioeconomic, or cultural—it is easy to forget the profound reality of our spiritual DNA. Baptism is more than a rite of passage for an individual believer; it is an act of incorporation. It is the moment we are adopted into a family that spans centuries and continents.
Consider the image of a naturalization ceremony. Imagine a courtroom filled with people from every corner of the globe. They speak different native languages, enjoy different foods, and possess vastly different life experiences. Yet, the moment they stand together, raise their right hands, and take the Oath of Allegiance, their primary legal identity shifts. They are no longer defined solely by where they came from, but by the new citizenship they now share. In that room, a doctor from Europe and a farmer from Asia stand on equal ground, bound by a shared commitment to a single constitution.
Baptism functions similarly in the Kingdom of God. Whether sprinkled as an infant or immersed as an adult, whether in a cathedral or a river, the water marks our naturalization into the Body of Christ. It affirms that our allegiance to Jesus takes precedence over our allegiance to denominations or earthly factions. We may express our worship differently, just as citizens contribute to society in different ways, but our fundamental standing is identical. We are one family, united by the water that washed us and the Spirit that fills us.
Application
Today, let us move beyond acknowledging our unity in theory and seek to experience it in practice. The walls that divide our denominations are often built on historical disputes, but the bridge that connects us—our baptism—is built by God.
Challenge for the Day: Reach out to a Christian friend, neighbor, or colleague who belongs to a different denomination or tradition than your own. Share a word of encouragement with them, acknowledging that you are siblings in the same family.
Question to Consider: What collaborative initiatives can our various communities undertake to celebrate our shared faith in Jesus Christ and the unity established through baptism?
Conclusion
As we continue through this week of prayer, let us hold fast to the truth that what unites us is infinitely stronger than what divides us. Our diversity is not a threat to our unity; rather, it displays the breadth of God’s kingdom. Let us walk forward today with the confidence that we belong to one another because we all belong to Christ.
Prayer
Spirit of God, and true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the upper-room; who enlightened us by the baptism of the Holy Font, we have sinned against Heaven and before you, purify us again with your divine fire, as you did the Apostles with fiery tongues. Have mercy on Your creatures and especially on us. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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