We Are One In The Spirit Series

August 8, 2021

Hope Lutheran Church

Rev. Mary Erickson

Ephesians 4:1-16

We Are One in the Spirit

Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the 1960’s, Father Peter Scholtes was a parish priest on the south side of Chicago. As one of his duties, he led a choir for the youth of his congregation. There was going to be an ecumenical gathering. Father Scholtes was looking for an appropriate song for his choir to sing at the event. He couldn’t find anything that quite fit what he had in mind, so he decided that he would try his hand at writing one himself.

The country was in the middle of the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s, and Father Scholtes had been deeply moved by the cause. Combining the call for ecumenical unity and the biblical mandate to act with justice, Father Scholtes found his inspiration in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Thus inspired, in a single day he wrote the song, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.”

The song begins with a declaration of unity: “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord…and we pray that all unity may one day be restored.”

That sentiment is shared by Paul in our reading from Ephesians. Paul invites us to a life of unity and solidarity. “Make every effort,” he says, “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians takes a turn at the beginning of chapter four. Up until this point, Paul has focused his message on the boundless mercies of God. Since the beginning of time it was God’s plan to reconcile all things through Christ Jesus. This is the theme in the first half of his letter.

But now in verse four, Paul shifts directions. “Therefore,” he says. That’s the key pivot word. “Therefore.” From this point on, Paul will unpack just how God’s good grace directs our faithful response. Paul will now address the practical implications of this good news.

And the very first thing he mentions is Christian unity. As we have been united with God, we are also aligned with each other. This unity is the single most significant marker of our life in Christ.

But unity doesn’t mean sameness. We aren’t clones. That’s because we don’t find our unity in human measurements. We’re unified by divine measures. Paul mentions the word “one” a total of seven times. He wants to make sure we get it.

• One body

• One Spirit

• One hope

• One Lord

• One faith

• One baptism

• One God and Father of all

We don’t find our unity in human measures. We find it in God. God is our unity.

So we have ample freedom in our unity for diversity. We can celebrate our differences and still be one. In fact, our differences are part of God’s plan. Paul says God uses our diverse gifts for the good of the community. They promote our common mission. God has endowed us with a variety of gifts. In our life together, we are richer for it.

I think of a football team. It takes all eleven players to complete the team! You need the eleven from the offense and the eleven from the defense and the eleven from the special unit. It takes all of them.

You can’t say that one player is more significant or better than the other. Who would the quarterback be without the receiver? Who would the kicker be without the placeholder? How could the play unfold without a sturdy front line? It takes every single position! Each player’s role is vital.

Likewise, as God’s people, it takes all of us to create a community, to welcome and support and equip one another. It takes every single one of us to reach out in service and mission to the world.

So I ask you: what part do you play in our faith community? How are you being called to serve? You have gifts, and your gifts are notable and worthy! I ask you to consider your calling, my friends. How are you being called within our community here at Hope? How are you called into the greater world? You have a light. Let it shine!

It’s just as important for us to take a look at the people around us. What talents and gifts do they have that can be implemented in service? Have we unintentionally sidelined or overlooked a sister or brother? How can we encourage one another and include people with new visions and perspectives? They may have a new approach. Maybe we need to be open to their new ways.