WORTHY OF OUR ENDEAVOR
Ephesians 4:1-7
I. The text does not refer to “uniformity” but to unity. God made us all different...just as He did with all creation...even to the extent that no two snowflakes...nor man=s fingerprints are identical.
“For the body is not one member but many...now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” I Corinthians 12:14,27
II. The spirit referred to is “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death....Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:2, 9b. His spirit included:
1. Divine love: John 15:12-13
2. Humility: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:...He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5,8
3. Service to others: “Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Matthew 20:28
III. “Keep the unity of the spirit” indicates that we all, at one time, possessed such unity. ““Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:4
All of us need to go back to our salvation experience and, once again, feel the overwhelming desire to serve and honor the Lord.
IV. The secret lies in the word: “endeavoring”. A half-hearted effort will only fail. The verb “endeavor” means “to strive”; the noun “endeavor” means “a serious determined effort.” “...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12b
V. “In the bond of peace”: “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23,25
