“Walk in Unity”
Ephesians 4:4-6
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Walk in Unity
1. Exhortation to walk worthy of our calling 1
2. Characteristics of a worthy walk in unity 2-3
Walk worthy of your calling by…
“Walking with all humility”
“Walking with all gentleness”
“Walking with longsuffering”
Bearing with one another in Love
Being diligent to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Paul urge the Ephesians to demonstrate longsuffering by bearing with one another in love, which is the perfect bond of peace, and by doing everything possible to preserve the unity established by Jesus through His death on the cross. His death established the foundation for peace with God and each other in a newly created community of spiritually connected people.
This community is connected to the already unified Godhead and to each other.
3. Unifying factors of the church
The unity of this community is based on a seven-fold bond. The more things in common the greater the sense of unity. I am not sure we have taken the time to consider just how much we have in common with every other Christian in the world.
Unfortunately, the church is known more for its disunity than its unity.
One site I visited estimated at least 33,000 different denominations. Many denominations formed over disagreement related to core beliefs, church government or a particular practice.
All claim their foundation in the Biblical truth. Many of the disagreements are significant and bitter. The truth is, most are linked by the seven bonds found in our present passage.
1. ONE BODY
The Bible employs the symbolism of the human body to illustrate the interrelation between Christians and Christ and between Christians and each other. Unity is based on the fact that we are all part of one body. Here, Paul focuses on the relationship of Christians with each other. Three concepts are important when you think about the body.
Unity, diversity, mutuality.
The body functions as a single unit -- unity.
The body is comprised of diverse members but is still one body -- diversity.
Every part of the body is interdependent – mutuality.
Paul fully unpacks this theme in first Corinthians chapter 12.
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
At the moment of regeneration, the Holy Spirit connects the believer to the body of Christ.
If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:19-20
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
Christians may not belong to the same denomination but every true follower of Jesus Christ becomes part of the same body. Every part of the body serves every other part of the body.
All the members are necessary. We are interconnected in such a way that what affects one affects all. Whenever parts are guess connected or disregarded it affects the whole.
When parts of our body decide to do their own thing and fight against the other parts of the body we can become incapacitated. There must be a unity of purpose. We must all receive our directions from the head. We need to realize that all of us are essential part of Christ's body.
That's why Paul says we need to be diligent to preserve the unity.
2. ONE SPIRIT -- The same Holy Spirit indwells every Christian.
Unity is based on the fact that the same Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. We were all made to drink of one Spirit. We get in trouble when we stop listening to that Holy Spirit. When there is strife, it means that one or both have stopped listening to the Holy Spirit. Luke made an interesting observation after some long discussion among leadership in the early church.
Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul…
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: Acts 15:24-25,28
3. ONE HOPE – The same eternal destiny awaits every Christian
The mutual promises of God regarding our future unite us. We have all been predestined to become conformed to the image of God Son. We all have an inheritance reserved in heaven for us. We are all citizens of an eternal kingdom yet to manifest on this earth.
4. ONE LORD – We all answer to the same Lord.
The fact that we all are responsible to the same Master unites us. Jesus Christ is our head and his word is our mutual mandate. We get our orders from the same commander.
5. ONE FAITH – We all contend for the same once for all delivered faith.
There are different views regarding the interpretation of this phrase. One looks at the concept of “faith" as our subjective faith. Another looks at "faith" as a reference to doctrine or creed as described by Jude.
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Jude 1:3
Still others refuse to focus on one or the other but both.
I think Paul is making a reference to the "once for all delivered faith". Paul calls for such a unity of the faith later on in this very chapter.
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
We all embrace the Scriptures as the only reliable source for truth. Granted, much controversy arises from how the Scriptures should be interpreted but we all agree that the Scriptures are the common foundation for every believer. The Scriptures should be the final authority for disputes in the church.
6. ONE BAPTISM – The same Holy Spirit placed every Christian into the body
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13
I do not believe that Paul is talking about water baptism here. I believe he is talking about Spirit baptism. He's talking about the fact that by the spirit we were all identified with or placed into the body of Christ. We are unified by our mutual commitment and surrender to Jesus Christ as our head. In the early days, baptism was an indication that one had surrendered their life to Jesus Christ. No matter where you go in the world, those who have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ enjoy a common bond between each other that defies color, gender, economic status, intellect or nationality. We are one by reason of our "baptism" into the body of Christ.
7. ONE GOD AND FATHER – We all share and serve the same God and Father.
Unity between believers is based on the fact that we are all children of the same father.
God is our father. We are his children. That makes us brothers and sisters. That makes is part of the same family.
Nothing can change the fact that every believer is connected by reason of their birth into God's family. No earthly disagreement can change that fact. You may not get along with your family, but that doesn't change the fact that you are still family. If you claim God as your father, you have no choice but to love his kids; your siblings in Christ. By reason of the seven factors we are connected. There is a sevenfold bond.
The greatest unifying factor even beyond all these things Paul revealed to the Colossians.
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:14
Paul urges us to make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
He urges us to walk unified just as we are unified. It was this unity in the early church that caused people to get attention. The culture of the day was the inability to get along with others. This new community created by Christ Jesus through great cost to himself made a difference by the demonstration of unity and love for one another.
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
What caused a continual sense of awe in the early church was their devotion to Christ and each other; their unity. This snapshot of the early church is amazing. There was selflessness and genuine care for each other. I simply enjoyed being together even in the midst of persecution from fellow Jews.
And when they heard this (about the persecution), they lifted their voices to God with one accord…Acts 4:24
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. Acts 4:32
At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. Acts 5:12
The biblical writers continually encourage us to unity.
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philippians 1:27
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1
Jesus emphatically declared that love and unity would be the ultimate identifying mark for Christians.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this (love for one another) all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
The ultimate basis of our unity is the fact that we are drawn into the community of the Trinity.
Jesus earnestly prayed that this unity would be demonstrated. This manifested unity and love for one another would not only validate our connection with Jesus, would validate His commission by God.
I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21
Jesus prayed that the manifestation of our unity would reflect the unity that has existed within the Trinity for eternity. Think about the unity in the Trinity.
No competition.
No jealousy.
Sacrificial service.
Perfect communication.
Efficient organization.
Absolute understanding
The work of Jesus that transforms our life is grand and glorious. It is a glory that is freely and generously given to us. It is a glorious transformation that Jesus prayed would inspire unity among its recipients.
The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity,
It is that manifested unity that will convince them of God’s great love for us.
so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
It is Jesus's ultimate desire that we all live together in community experiencing the wonder of relationship with the eternal loving God and His Son Jesus and each other.
Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:22-24
Application
Unfortunately, the reality is painfully different than God intended and enables.
To dwell above with the saints we love – that will be glory.
But to live below with the saints we know – now that’s a different story.
The rest of Paul's letter specifies what this unity with the saints below should look like.
He addressed attitudes, words and actions that either disrupt or display unity. The world is watching. The most powerful tool that we have to reach a hurting world other than the truth of God’s love for a fallen world through the sacrifice of His only Son, is our love for each other.
The world will be more impacted by our love for one another than our tracts and telecasts.
Our connection to the Trinity and demonstrated oneness will be what convinces a disbelieving world to believe in Jesus.
Are we doing everything we can to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
• It is time to abandon our petty little power plays.
• It is time to set aside our personal agendas for Kingdom agendas.
• It is time to treat one another as more important than ourselves.
• It is time to live like we are all a necessary part of the same body.
• It is time to keep connected to the common Spirit indwelling every true follower of Jesus.
• It is time to focus on our common hope.
• It is time to remember that we serve the same Master.
• It is time to rally around the once for all delivered faith recorded in the Scriptures.
• It is time to realize we were all baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit of Christ.
• It is time to live like a unified family connected to the same God and Father of all of us who is over all of us and working through all of us and living in all o
