UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:1-6
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit,just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord,one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.
4: 1-6 “ There is one body,” says Paul. But unity does not just happen; we have to work at it. Often differences among people can lead to division, but this should not be true in the church. Instead of concentrating on what divides us, we should remember what unites us: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God! Have you learned to appreciate people who are different from you? Can you see how their differing gifts and viewpoints can help the church as it does God’s work? Learn to enjoy the way we members of Christ’s body complement one another.
4: 1-2 God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth. In light of this truth, Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received— the awesome privilege of being called Christ’s very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as his representative?
4: 2 No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love other Christians despite their faults. When we see faults in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle. Is there someone whose actions or personality really annoys you? Rather than dwelling on that person’s weaknesses or looking for faults, pray for him or her. Then do even more— spend time together and try to understand them and learn from them.
4: 3 To build unity is one of the Holy Spirit’s important roles. He leads, but we have to be willing to be led and to do our part to keep the peace. We do that by focusing on God, not on ourselves.
4: 4-7 All believers in Christ belong to one body; all are united under one head, Christ himself (see 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27). Each believer has God-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body. Whatever your special abilities, use them in God’s service. Ask God to use your unique gifts to contribute to the strength and health of the body of believers.
4: 6 God is “over all”— this describes his overruling power (transcendence). He is “through all” and “in all”— this shows his active presence in the world and in the lives of believers (immanence). Any view of God that violates either his transcendence or his immanence does not paint a true picture of God.Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and make sure we are doing all we can to show others CHRIST LOVE and strengthen the entire body of CHRIST!!!
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS