Spiritual Unity
March 8, 2019
Commentary
The first three chapters of Ephesians explain our position in Christ, while the last three teach our responsibilities as believers who belong to Him. The word “therefore” in verse 1 shows that Paul is building on the doctrines he already taught. When we understand biblical truth, it becomes easier to live it out daily. Paul urges us to “walk worthy of the calling” we have received, reminding us that doctrine and duty must always go together.
The main theme in these verses is the unity of believers in Christ. Unity does not mean uniformity. True unity comes from within, produced by the Holy Spirit, while uniformity is pressure from the outside. Unity does not just happen; it requires effort, humility, gentleness, and patience (v. 2). We must try our best to let the Spirit keep our hearts united by living in peace with one another (v. 3).
Many people today try to unite Christians in ways that are not biblical or centered on Christ. Paul names seven spiritual realities that form the foundation of true unity (vv. 4–6): one body—the Church; one Spirit—the Holy Spirit; one hope—our future with Christ; one Lord—Jesus Christ; one faith—the truths we believe together; one baptism—our identification with Christ; and one God and Father—the loving Creator of all who sustains His family in love and grace.
Purity of doctrine alone does not guarantee spiritual unity. We can be correct in what we believe yet fail in how we live. Our conduct must match our confession. To “walk worthy” means to live in a way that honors and pleases God. As Paul reminded earlier, we were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (EPH 2:10).
Application
It is said there are two ways of being united—one is by being frozen together, and the other is by being melted together. Do I bring peace or tension, sunshine or rain, to the body of Christ? How can I protect unity in my church or group? I will listen more, speak kindly, and remember that the same Spirit and Lord lives in every believer.
Ephesians 4:1–6 (NET)
1 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Mark Twain – Getting Along Together
Mark Twain used to say he put a dog and a cat in a cage together as an experiment, to see if they could get along. They did, so he put in a bird, pig and goat. They, too, got along fine after a few adjustments. Then he put in a Baptist, Presbyteri … Continue