4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Chapter 4 bursts forth as the thrilling beginning of the second part of Ephesians! This segment powerfully emphasizes applying the profound doctrines unveiled in the first half. It kicks off with the transformative word “therefore,” signaling a pivotal moment—“based on everything you have just absorbed.”
The teachings from the initial three chapters are not merely concepts. They should ignite a radical change in how we live our lives! Doctrine is not just useful; it’s the very heartbeat of our faith! Some may shun the idea of doctrine. They deem it dull and insignificant. Their call to merely love one another rings hollow without understanding the foundations of that love. But why should we passionately love one another? Why is unity in the church vital? The answers are not just theoretical—they are life-changing!
Paul passionately outlines many compelling reasons. He explains why we must embrace those who are different from us. This is within the first three chapters. Doctrine fuels our purpose, while application guides our actions. Without grasping the ‘why’ behind our deeds, we risk losing the drive to act. Take, for instance, the urging to “just share the gospel!” But why?
The answer lies within the profound doctrine of God’s Word. It declares we are all burdened by sin. We face the dire consequences of judgment and hell, unless we turn to Christ as our Savior. This is our driving force! The truths woven into Scripture are not just facts. They are the bedrock of our faith. These truths compel us to wholeheartedly commit to understanding them.
On the other hand, many believers become engrossed in doctrine, often neglecting its transformative application. It’s not enough to simply understand the Bible; mere knowledge should never be our ultimate aim! If that knowledge fails to ignite change in our lives, it serves only to inflate our egos. Paul sets a brilliant example for us. He dedicates three powerful chapters to doctrine. He also dedicates three inspiring chapters to practical application. Throughout his epistles, he passionately emphasizes the necessity of intertwining doctrine and application. He reminds us that our faith must resonate deeply in our everyday lives!
The powerful essence of our journey lies in embracing a walk that resonates with the profound calling bestowed upon us. This calling inspires us to live with purpose and fervor!
4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
Ephesians 4:1
We witness the incredible wonders that God has accomplished for us! We grasp the glorious position we hold in Christ. Our hearts swell with gratitude for His boundless love. We appreciate His meticulous plans and overflowing blessings. It is our calling to live our lives in a manner that reflects this worthy gift. But can we truly earn what has been so graciously given to us by God? Absolutely not! So, what does this mean for us? We are fueled by our deep gratitude and transformed by our new lives in Him. We feel compelled to embrace our divine position. We live authentically according to the extraordinary calling we have received!
Imagine a noble king, driven by compassion, who brings a destitute beggar into the warm embrace of his royal family. In that moment, this beggar transforms into a prince! Yet, shockingly, he abandons the lavish feast within the palace. He returns to the streets to resume begging. This choice is both improper and ungrateful. Consider, too, the scenario where a thief breaks into your home. Upon discovering him imprisoned, you learn of the dire circumstances that led him to such misdeeds. Moved by empathy, you decide not to press charges but instead to offer him a generous financial gift. Yet, to your dismay, he returns to your home.
As believers, we revert to the same sinful lifestyle we once embraced. This happens before coming to Christ. We mirror the fate of the beggar. We fall back into old habits instead of living a transformed life. We also mirror the fate of the thief. God, in His magnificent grace, has adopted us and forgiven us! We now possess the breathtaking responsibility to live not just well, but worthily!
At first, the beggar may struggle to adapt to his new life as a prince. He may stumble and make awkward mistakes along the way. Yet, in His infinite wisdom, the king will be patient as he endeavors to rise to the occasion. The king is ever-ready to extend his hand, offering abundant support and resources to facilitate this glorious transformation. God, too, lavishes us with the tools we need. We must seize them and embrace our new lives. We should never look back to our former way of living!
We discovered in the last chapters the incredible unity believers share, transcending race and background. Even those who once stood as adversaries can find themselves as cherished brothers and sisters within God’s magnificent family. But how do we embody this truth in our lives? Perhaps some old grudges lie beneath the surface. “Of course, I can embrace unity with John and Fred, but Tim? He’s just too challenging! And sure, Michelle can connect with Tricia and Angel, but Janice? Oh, she’s unbearable! You have no idea how infuriating she can be!”
No, it is not a pick and choose type deal. We are to have unity with all believers in the church. This includes not just those like us or with the same views as us. And this is hard work.
The qualities we need.
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one an other in love,
Ephesians 4:2
The first part of verse 2 fervently emphasizes the qualities that are absolutely vital to unity. A prideful person has a haughty gaze. He looks down on others. He believes his path is the only righteous one. He scoffs at those who dare to disagree. He thrives on bickering and endless arguments, desperately craving respect and honor. His temper flares over petty issues. He sows discord with every unrestrained opinion he voices. He demands to be heard above all else. This relentless attitude breeds nothing but disunity.
A truly humble person radiates warmth and serenity. They place the needs and perspectives of others above their own. They embrace the beauty of diverse opinions with open ears and an open heart. He recognizes that his education, Bible knowledge, or evangelistic triumphs do not elevate him above anyone else. Instead, he sees himself as part of a greater whole. He is driven by a fervent commitment to the common good. He embodies the spirit of collaboration and teamwork. He inspires those around him to strive for unity and collective success.
How about a harsh person?
Maybe I catch a dear friend stumbling in his gospel sharing at church, and my heart aches! I invite him to lunch, but instead of gentle words, I unleash my passion. “How could you possibly make this blunder? Don’t you treasure the Bible? What on earth is going on with you?!”
Is this fiery approach truly the right way to correct him?
The Bible passionately instructs us to correct with unwavering gentleness. Harshness only ignites anger, resentment, and deep-seated ill feelings. It serves as a dampener, extinguishing hope. Consider this: what if this brother has just begun to share? My sharp rebuke could shatter his delicate confidence, leaving him petrified to express himself again. A truly gentle spirit would embrace him with kindness and calmness. It would guide him to recognize the error. It would also uplift his courageous effort in sharing the gospel. Additionally, it would nurture his heart for others.
Maintaining unity is not a mere automatic process; it demands deliberate effort and sheer will! Christians, like everyone else, are flawed and sinful beings. Imagine gathering hundreds of sinners from every conceivable background and age—what do you expect? A harmonious symphony of peace and unity? Absolutely not! Instead, you’ll encounter a cacophony of opinions, each one as unique as the individuals themselves. Our natural inclination leans towards division and factions, threatening to tear us apart at every turn!
Maintaining unity demands unwavering diligence and commitment! We must actively strive to embody kindness, especially towards those “weird” believers among us. When disagreements arise, we should boldly take the initiative to address them. Let us seek out the other party and confront the issue. We must resolve it before it can take root and grow into resentment. We should remain vigilant, constantly on the lookout to quash any signs of division and to radiate Christian love. Preserving healthy relationships requires energy, hard work, and a passionate dedication to unity!
Verses 4-6 remind us of the powerful foundation upon which this unity stands.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6
(Bold for Emphasis)
Cross References:
- Philippians 1:27
- Colossians 1:10
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
- Romans 15:1
- Galatians 6:2
- John 17:21
Reflective Questions:
• What is the therefore there for?
• What does it mean to be a prisoner of the Lord?
• What is Paul’s conclusion?
• How is this section different than the previous section?
• What does the word “walk” mean?
• What does it imply?
• Why are the qualities in verse two integral to unity?
• Give some examples of how they can preserve unity.
• Give some examples of how their opposites can wreck unity.
• What does showing tolerance look like in real life?
• What does it not look like?
• How much energy should we expend towards keeping unity?
• What does this imply?
• What is the reason for unity in the church?
• What word is repeated again and again?
• What do we have in common?
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