Christians, believers, disciples, followers, children of God, brethren, the church, saints, people of God and others…
• Each of these terms are used in Scripture to describe those who belong to God
• But not just belong to God, but belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ
• Jesus is the unifying component for Christians
Let’s be honest… over the years, the Church (capital “C”) has been fractured
• We often identify by our denomination connection first
o Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Apostolic, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Charismatic, Adventist, Nazarene, and a wide variety of others…
o OR perhaps the broader identification of Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, etc.
• Unfortunately, divisions have sprung up throughout the years
o Regarding doctrines, methods of baptism, communion, women in leadership, biblical interpretation, organizational structures, types of music for worship, creedal statements, liturgy, means of salvation, and again… many, many more.
I say unfortunately because it seems to me, each time we identify ourselves by the narrower title of a denominational name, we are putting up a wall that starts with identifying our differences rather than our commonalities and unifying points.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Ephesus says this…
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT)
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
The first word of chapter four is “Therefore”
• As I often point out, we must ask what is the “Therefore” there for?
• It is a transitional word that causes us to reflect on what was just written or spoken
o Also preparing the reader/listener to be paying attention to what is coming next
o For what was just shared is now going to be explained/defined/clarified
• In this context…
o Paul is referring to what he has written about in chapters 1-3.
o Which is the high calling of God upon those who have chosen to believe
o They have chosen to live their lives in commitment to Jesus Christ & each other
So, Paul says, seeing as you have accepted this high calling from God
• Then live your life in a way that is worthy of that calling.
• Because the call has come from God Himself
• A call to live united together as the body of Christ
The apostle Paul describes the way that Christians can accomplish this high calling
First… Humility
• Walking with an attitude of humility in your daily walk
o This reflects the very attitude of Jesus while He was here on earth
Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
This is significant because in verse 3 of Ephesians 4…
• Paul says to make every effort to “KEEP” the unity between you
• Meaning… unity was not to be manufactured
o Unity was to be maintained
? By believing in God’s Son, Jesus, they were already united in Christ
• Humility is a key to maintaining unity.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Secondly… Gentleness (which is very closely linked with humility)
Even Jesus inviting those who have been overwhelmed by the things life throws at us…
Matthew 11:29 (NLT)
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Yet, gentleness plays a part in Christian unity as well…
Galatians 6:1 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
We should accomplish much more in our approach to one another when using gentleness.
Even the Proverbs make this point clear…
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
A gentle approach has much greater chances of keeping unity than does a harsh, demeaning, or demanding approach
And gentleness (as well as humility and a few other items) ought to be worn daily as Christians
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Finally, the third thing Paul mentions in Ephesians 4, is patience.
Patience with one another helps maintain the unity within the Body of Christ.
Just like that verse I just read from Colossians… patience ought to be worn daily.
Patience is the spirit which never gives up for it endures to the end even in times of adversity.
• It is that self-restraint to not retaliate against a wrong committed by a fellow believer
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
When a tree bears fruit… the fruit is for others… not the tree itself.
When the Holy Spirit produces such fruit in our lives… it is meant to be shared or given to others… not for self-consumption.
And we must be patient with one another in sharing the Word of God.
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
Patiently correcting. Patiently rebuking. Patiently encouraging.
• For people will actually turn from the truth they once held onto (saw this in 1 John)
• Turning to what they want to hear… what makes them comfortable
Think of how patient God has been with all of us.
• This is what we are to aim for in our relationship with each other as brothers/sisters in Christ.
We are to keep OR guard that which God has already established in those who call on Him.
• Yes, we will have differences of opinion/perspective at times.
• But if we strive to be humble, gentle, and patient with one another
o We ought to remain united as Jesus desired
There is a prayer recorded in the Gospel of John. It is a prayer that Jesus prayed.
In this prayer… He prayed for Himself, the disciples who were with Him, and for you and me.
John 17:20-23 (NLT)
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
The unity we aim for is not “JUST” so we strive to get along…
• Our unity is to be a witness to those who do not believe.
• Our love for one another is upheld through our unity in Jesus Christ.
• That the world may know that God has sent Jesus into this world.
o We… the Body of Christ. Fellow believers. Christians. Children of the Most High.
o We have been given this great opportunity and responsibility.
Let me close with these words from Ephesians 4:13-16…
• Just a few verses down from where we started.
Ephesians 4:13-16 (NLT)
This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
May we strive for the unity that God desires for us to have.
• A unity that comes under the umbrella of His standard, His truth, His Word
• This can be a bit dicey at times, and I will tell you why
o We may disagree on the method of baptism or the purpose of baptism
o But most likely we believe that baptism is an integral part of our relationship with God
? However, when it comes to saying that there are more than 2 genders
? Or that there’s a place in marriage for same sex couples
? Or sex before marriage is acceptable
? Or anything that is contrary to sound doctrine is okay…
• Then the unity factor will be hindered.
• I will not be united with those who claim sin is not sin
• That is not unity … that is a compromise that the Bible gives no credence to.
It is difficult living in a world that is filled with such animosity and choosing sides.
May we… the Body of Christ… put aside the differences, being discerning and practicing wisdom…
• And unite in the name of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• And be the good and faithful witnesses to the world around us.
Let’s pray.
