Unity Of Believers

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)