COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS CHAPTER FOUR
COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS Chapter FOUR
WALKING WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING – EPHESIANS 4:1-6
Chapters one through three speak about the Christian’s position and identity in Christ, the doctrine of Christian belief and the riches and spiritual wealth we have in Jesus Christ. Below are listed just some of the precious spiritual principles that Paul covered in the first three chapters that we have as Disciples of Christ:
We are God’s children. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
We have a sure hope of our inheritance in Christ. (Ephesians 1:11, 18)
We experience the truth of Christ’s glorious rule. (Ephesians 1:20-23)
We have been given riches of God’s lavish grace. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
We have unity with God and each other. (Ephesians 2:11-3:13)
We benefit from the glory of the Lord’s incomprehensible love. (Ephesians 3:14-20)
Chapters four through six speak of how Christians are to live because of their position and identity in Christ and that it is our duty and responsibility to walk like Christ in our daily life and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
You could say that Ephesians 4:1-6 is a transition from doctrine to duty, creed to conduct, from belief to life, from the Christian’s wealth to the Christians walk, positional truth to practical truth, from truth to testimony, from principle to practice, from knowledge to application. It is critical we have a balance of each of these areas of the Christian faith active and growing in our life so we can have spiritual balance in our lives.
At times we can find ourselves acquiring extensive head knowledge of our faith, but lacking in the practical application of how to apply this knowledge in serving and loving others. At other times we can find ourselves serving and ministering in very practical ways but failing to comprehend how to share Christian truth because we have not studied to make ourselves approved and a good handler of the Word of God. This is why for instance we should seek to gain balance in our lives by not only knowing what God’s Word says, but applying it as well. The book of Ephesians instructs us in each of these areas.
Several scripture passages address the fact that when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we have a responsibility to live as God calls us to, in the manner in which He lived. Several scripture passages instruct us in this new life we are called to live.
Ephesians 4:23-24, “… if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Philippians 1:27-30 “Only 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; in no way alarmed by your opponents — which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
Our life as a disciple of Christ should be modeled after how Jesus lived and empowered by the Holy Spirit, not only to bring glory to God, not only to enjoy the blessing of becoming more like Christ, but especially to demonstrate before the unsaved what life is like when you are in fellowship with your Heavenly Father.
In college I was a Resident Assistant in a men’s dorm. My responsibility was to be a friend and support person to over 50 young men. We all shared a corporate bathroom and one morning I got up early to shave. I was alone in the bathroom and while I was shaving a huge African American guy came in who was new to another wing of the dorm. I said hi and continued shaving. He stood behind me and watched as I shaved. After a few minutes I was becoming uneasy and wondering why he was staring at me shaving. I asked if there was a problem or something I could do for him. He said he was envious of how I could shave and not have any problems. I replied, “What do you mean?” He said he had tried many times to shave but he always cut himself or broke out in a rash and no matter what he did, he could never really shave successfully. So I shared with him that the shaving crème gel I used was very good for such situations and that he should try it some time. He thanked me profusely and left. This made me think of how people who do not know Christ as their Savior watch us as Disciples of Christ. They notice how we live and walk out our faith. They evaluate how we act, treat others, make business decisions and relate to our spouses, children and friends. I would suggest that hopefully they see in our lives as followers of Christ that there are actions, attitudes and behaviors that they are envious of and wish they could emulate. When we walk worthy of our calling as Disciples of Christ we can attract the attention of others so that either by their questions and/or by our sharing they can be led to accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord.
WALKING WORTHY
Ephesians 4:1-6
Ephesians 4:1-6 can be broken down into three sections;
4:1 The Call to Live Like Christ
4:2-3 The Characteristics of Living Like Christ
4:4-6 The Cause of Why We Are to Live Like Christ
THE CALL TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST
Ephesians 4:1, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
The “Therefore” of this first verse takes its cue for action based on previous doctrines discussed in the previous first three chapters of Ephesians. Now in chapter four we are to take action upon what we have learned.
The Christian life is based on knowledge and what you believe. Knowledge and belief now turns to action, and this influences how you behave.
In the Old Testament God said “Obey and I will Bless you.”
In the New Testament God says “I have Blessed you, so Obey.”
Paul states that he is a “prisoner” of the Lord. While Paul is physically under arrest by the Roman government, he considers his life totally ruled and dominated by the will of God. Thus, he is always a dedicated prisoner of what the Lord wishes for him to accomplish.
Paul implores the followers of Christ at Ephesus to walk according to their calling. “Implore” is ‘Parakaleo’ in the Greek and it means to ‘Call to one’s side with the idea of wanting to help or be helped.’ It carries with it the idea of intense feeling, strong desire as one would with great urging and exhortation. It is a plea by Paul for the Christians to respond to his instruction and guidance that comes from God through the Holy Spirit that resides within him.
It is noteworthy that Paul does not instruct other Christians to run, sprint or rush along in their Christian life. He chooses the word “walk” to describe the regular and natural everyday life of the follower of Christ as they face the issues of life. The word “walk” Paul uses is in reference to the daily conduct or each and every person who has dedicated their life to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the common day by day living of each and every Christian. It does not just include fellowshipping with others in church gatherings, Bible studies or worship services. It includes work, recreation as well as all public and private activities. Your “walk” as a follower of Christ is every waking moment you live and in absolutely everything you do.
The word “worthy” gives us a visual picture of scales being balanced. Paul uses the Greek word “axios” which means “being fitting or proper in corresponding to what should be expected.” The blessings and privileges that God bestows upon us when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior bring with them a responsibility to glorify God in our lives. The honor and position we have as Christians before our Heavenly Father due to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ requires us to live like Jesus Christ. This we can only accomplish if we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, a gift we are given at our conversion. The picture we see is that our blessings and position should be balanced with our thoughts and actions, which should always be godly and Spirit-empowered.
The word “calling” in the Greek is “kletos” and can be interpreted as a divine summons, spiritual vocation or a high calling as you can see from the various translations below:
“walk worthy of the divine summons with which you were called.” Wuest
“walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service,” Amplified
“walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” King James
“live lives worthy of your high calling.” Phillips
The New Testament has many references to the “calling” that God has on their lives.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
John 15:16, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
Romans 11:29-30 ” for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-28 “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,”
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,”
Philippians 3:14-16 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “…we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 1:8-10 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,”
Hebrews 3:1-2 “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”
2 Peter 1:10-11 “10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING LIKE CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:2-3, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
ATTITUDE & ACTION ONE:
“with all humility”
In Ephesians 4:2-3 Paul lists seven characteristics that followers of Christ will manifest in their lives as they seek to be led by the Spirit and live like their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. First mentioned is “humility.”
The Greek word for humility is “tapeinophrosunes” and means to think on or to judge with lowliness. The Greeks and Romans had no word for humility for it was not an admirable trait to have in their culture. To them it showed weakness and a lack of ambition. Humility to them was an insulting characteristic. Christians were often called humble in an insulting derogatory manner therefore. To be humble as a Roman or Greek was insulting and shameful so the word “humble” became a derogatory word used to describe Christians in the Roman Empire.
Holy Scripture has many reverences in the Old and New Testament that regard humility as an admirable trait to possess. Pride competes with God. Humility is submitting to Him. Godly humility is putting God first, others second and yourself last.
Philippians 2:3-8 “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. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Psalms 138:6 “For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar.”
Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.”
Proverbs 22:4 “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.”
Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Jesus Himself was humble.
Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 18:3-5 “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
The first sin was pride and all sins spring from pride against God.
James 4:6-10, “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Humility has several characteristics.
First it is proper self-awareness. You are aware of your own unworthiness. You make daily confessions of your sins.
1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”
2 Corinthians 10:12-13 “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.”
Humility is a mindset and a desire in our hearts that give us stable ground for action. Humility gives us flavor in our lives so we can serve appropriately.
Secondly, humility involves Christ awareness.
1 John 2:5-6 “By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
Thirdly, humility involves God awareness and many men of the Bible demonstrated humility.
Paul was humble: 1 Timothy 1:15
Peter was humble: Luke 5:8
Job was humble: Job 42:6
Isaiah was humble: Isaiah 6:1
Christ was humble and is our example on how to manifest this godly trait in our own.
A Humble person receives the Word
James 1:21-22 “21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”
A Humble person is a peacemaker and shares the Word in peace.
1 Peter 3:15-16 “…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
Humility is a necessary trait to have in dealing with others in the Body of Christ. A church is made up of forgiven sinners seeking to rely upon God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ, especially in how they treat others. It takes godly humility to deal with other Christians in a church body and for them to deal with us as well.
Nik Wallenda is an American follower of Christ who has become the most-watched high wire artist and daredevil in the world. His two most recent feats were seen by a billion people across the world. In 2012 Wallenda walked a tightrope across Niagara Falls. In 2013 Wallenda became the first person to high-wire walk across the Grand Canyon.
Wallenda knows that he will be tempted by pride, so after the huge crowds and the media fade away he engages in a simple spiritual discipline: he walks where the crowds have just stood and quietly picks up trash. Wallenda recently wrote, “My purpose is simply to help clean up after myself. The huge crowd left a great deal of trash behind, and I feel compelled to pitch in. Besides, after the inordinate amount of attention I sought and received, I need to keep myself grounded. Three hours of cleaning up debris is good for my soul. Humility does not come naturally to me. So if I have to force myself into situations that are humbling, so be it …. I know that I need to get down on my hands and knees like everyone else. I do it because it’s a way to keep from tripping. As a follower of Jesus, I see him washing the feet of others. I do it because if I don’t serve others I’ll be serving nothing but my ego.”
ATTITUDE & ACTION TWO
“and gentleness,”
Gentleness is also known as “meekness.” The Greek word for gentleness is “Praotes” and means mild-spirited, self-controlled. It is power under control (by God).
“Whereas humility is an attitude of mind, gentleness refers to the outward manifestation of a person’s humble demeanor…Like humility; gentleness is a vital step toward unity because it softens our sharp edges and keeps us from scraping, cutting, and bruising those who get close to us.” Charles Swindoll
Colossians 3:12-14 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
Gentleness is also another godly trait among the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
We should remember that a person can be gentle but still have times when they are righteously angry.
Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’; but you are making it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”
Long before the “dog whisperer,” Cesar Milan, there was the “horse whisperer.” Monty Roberts was raised in the horse business. He learned there was one way to train horses: by “breaking” them. Through domination and force, which at times included striking the horse with whips or even tying and suspending the horse’s feet and legs, a trainer would impose his will upon the animal until it reached the conclusion that total submission was the only way to survive.
In his early teen years Roberts began to study the behavior and communication patterns of wild mustangs in the badlands of Nevada. He took note of the nonverbal communication among the horses …. Drawing on this observation and his firsthand experience with horses, Roberts developed a breakthrough training technique he first called “hooking on” as opposed to “breaking down” the will of the horse. This new training method was based on a cornerstone concept he eventually trademarked called JoinUp®. Join-Up not only stopped the “breaking” norms of traditional horse training, it showcased how to cooperate with the horse’s own spirit, innate ways, and means of communicating as a member of the herd.
The personality and full potential of the horse emerge through loving freedom and desire rather than domination …. The Join-Up technique invites an untamed horse that has never been ridden to willingly accept the saddle, bridle, and rider. It is a thing of beauty to watch. Monty Roberts enters a round pen with a wild horse. In as little as half an hour, he’ll be riding the horse.
Roberts creates an atmosphere of mutual respect that communicates, “I’m not going to hurt you, and you don’t have to follow me if you don’t want to.” After a brief period of introducing himself and interacting with the horse … Roberts turns his back to the animal and walks away.
At this point the horse trains her eyes on Monty with all-out intensity and attention. She is asking herself, “Where is he going?” and “Do I want to stay by myself?” The horse must choose: “I want to be with you. I want to join up and follow you on the way.” She quickly decides, “My safe place is with you.” Dropping her head (equine language for “I submit to you”) and trotting to Roberts’s side, the horse says, “I choose to follow. I want to be with you.”
ATTITUDE & ACTION THREE
“with patience,”
The Greek word used here for patience is “makrothumia,” which means; long-tempered, long-suffering or endures negative circumstances. A patient person endures hardships and unpleasant circumstances because they trust in God for their predicament. They are willing to wait for a resolution to their situation because they trust God is in control. Patience is defined as a determination or resolve to wait for change or God’s intervention. It is a willingness to work with others for resolution. They are also forgiving of others because of their love for God and willingness to let the Holy Spirit empower them to be manifesting this godly attribute towards others. One way that can help us be patient with others is to remember how much God is patient with us. We’re not perfect. We make mistakes in life and in our relationship with God, yet He is so willing to love us despite our flaws and shortcomings. We are called as followers of Christ to manifest godly patience towards others, especially those in the family of God. This does not mean we are to allow ourselves to be abused or mistreated, but it does mean we can trust God for what takes place in our lives especially in our relationships with other Believers.
Several individuals in scripture demonstrated patience as a godly attribute.
Abraham – Hebrews 6:15, Romans 4:20
Noah – Hebrews 6:15
Moses – Hebrews 11:25-27
Paul – Acts 21:13
1 Thessalonians 5:14 instructs us to be patient with everyone; “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
A 12-year-old girl accidentally ran a half marathon after signing up for a family-friendly 5K run. LeeAdianez Rodríguez-Espada, a 12-year-old student from New York, was worried she was going to be late when she went to the starting line of her race. She set off with everyone else and started running. But she accidentally left 15 minutes early with a group of people running the half marathon race.
Lee, focused on putting one foot in front of the other, didn’t realize until mile four that the finish line was nowhere in sight. Turning to another runner, she asked how much further. “And that’s when it struck me I was in the half marathon instead of the 5k,” Rodriguez-Espada said. Instead of dropping out, she decided to keep running.
Brendalee Espada, her mother, lost track of her daughter when she went to park the car. When she got to the starting line, her daughter was gone. “She gave me a really big scare,” Espada told reporters. She and the police searched for Rodriguez for nearly two hours.
“She just wanted to finish the race,” Espada said. “Two hours after I started looking for her, I see that one of the police officers found her. And I see she has a medal.” She finished 13.1 and placed 1,885th of 2,111 finishers but she was among the youngest to run the race. Her mom said, “I don’t even know how she did it. I’m so proud of her.”
ATTITUDE & ACTION FOUR
“showing tolerance for one another”
Tolerance as an action is similar to patience.
Tolerance is the ability to accept and live with people who are different from us. Despite differences; with God’s help, we make a commitment to treat them with dignity and respect. Tolerance is the attribute of not allowing someone who is different from you to alter your concern or love for them. Paul is not talking about tolerating sin, wickedness, immorality, and evil, he is speaking about showing love, mercy and grace to everyone we meet. We can be tolerant and look for opportunities to share our faith and help in anyway we can to explain the truth of God we live. We should also be tolerant of other Disciples of Christ who may have somewhat different beliefs than we do and place love for them above any differences.
When we find ourselves in a situation or relationship where we are struggling with tolerance towards another person we should remember the patient tolerance God has towards us in our spiritual growth. We are always far from where we should be spiritually, but God is tolerant of us in our relationship with Him.
Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
But we should be cautious that we do not let tolerance overcome good judgment and godly conviction. We are not to tolerate someone who would abuse us, nor are we to tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of others. A commitment to God’s Word, a reliance upon the Holy Spirit and the support of mature Christians can help us discern how to tolerate what we should in relationships and when to draw a line.
Every day, for close to seven years, Walter “Buck” Swords cursed and stomped his feet in his favorite restaurant, Luby’s Cafeteria, demanding that he get his food exactly as he wanted it. Every day, for close to seven years, his preferred waitress, Melina Salazar, offered a patient and tolerant smile and did whatever she could to help her most stubborn customer. After years of thankless service, Salazar was rewarded. When Swords died at 89 years old, just days before Christmas (2007), he left Salazar $50,000 and a 2000 Buick. “I still can’t believe it,” she said. After all, she says, he was always “kind of mean.”
ATTITUDE & ACTION FIVE
“in love,
Christian love is the bedrock core of our being as a follower of Christ. It is what Christian fellowship should focus on in all relationships, especially in a church body.
The Greek word for love here is “agape” and would be defined as self-sacrificial love, a love that denies self for the benefit of others. It is the love Jesus demonstrated on the cross when He died for the sins of mankind.
“The agape love of God is based on decision. It’s a decision to be primarily concerned with the well-being of the beloved regardless of their condition, irrespective of their reaction. Christians are to live a life of love modeled on the love of God to us. That is the challenge of the Christian lifestyle: to live a life of love that is modeled on the love of God to us. Human love tends to love the lovely, the loving, and lovable. Divine love loves the unloving, the unlovable, the unlovely.” Stuart Briscoe
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;”
In many ways the previous four attributes we have seen in this passage describe what “agape” love is all about.
Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children; and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
1 Peter 4:8-9 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;”
Bombs have what’s called a “blast-radius,” defined as the distance from the source that will be affected when an explosion occurs. Churches should have love-radiuses—anyone within thirty miles of a church should know it and be positively affected by the church’s love.
ATTITUDE & ACTION SIX
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit”
The word for diligent in Greek is “spoudazo,” and means to “make haste with holy zeal. The goal of this diligent godly zeal is to keep or preserve the unity of the Spirit. We are to be highly motivated and dedicated to preserve unity in the body of Christ. This comes about by first submitting to God and His Word when it gives us guidelines in how to live with and love others in the church body. Secondly it is made possible as we seek to forgive others as they should forgive us as we all seek to live for and love our Heavenly Father. This is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within all Christians. We should seek to avoid being divisive, and instead strive to be a peacemaker in issues and actions.
The unity of the Spirit is the bond that all Christians have because they all have the Holy Spirit living within them. The fact that all Christians possess the Holy Spirit living within them should motivate us to seek to be unified in our commitment to our Heavenly Father, to obey His commands, and worship Him in all we do. Our unity should be motivated by the fact that we all seek to live like Jesus and therefore approach all our relationships with an unselfish commitment to serve each other. We can have confidence we can accomplish unity within the Body of Christ because we have the Holy Spirit empowering and motivating us to do so.
The unity of the Spirit is spoken of in many scripture passages;
Romans 12:9-13, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 “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 12:20 “But now there are many members, but one body.”
Romans 8:9 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
John 17:11 “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.”
John 17:21-23 “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. “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, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
Romans 15:1-6, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 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.”
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, “10 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. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
Philippians 1:27, “Only 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;”
In 1957 a graduate student at Columbia University named Gordon Gould had been working with “pumping” atoms to higher energy states so they would emit light. As Gould elaborated his ideas and speculated about all the things that could be done with a concentrated beam of light, he realized he was onto something. In his notebook he confidently named the yet-to-be-invented device a LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation).
Nearly sixty years later, we are still seeing the impact of this remarkable tool. Very recently, Lockheed Martin boasted about their new laser, a ground-based prototype system that burned through an entire car engine in seconds, from a mile away. The company called this laser system the most “efficient and lethal” version on the planet.
From a spiritual perspective the laser represents the ultimate expression of the impact we can have in a world in need of light. If we are able to understand the stunning power of unity expressed in a laser beam and translate it into our own lives, we might have a greater impact on those around us than ever before. When Disciples of Christ are diligent to be unified in truth, their impact of love for others can penetrate the darkest corners of the world.
ATTITUDE & ACTION SEVEN
“in the bond of peace.”
Peace is the absence of unrest or distress. For the Christian it is a spiritual presence of calmness in their heart, mind and soul because they are in intimate communion with God because they are empowered by the Holy Spirit as they walk as Jesus walked. This inward peace facilitates peace with others, not only with those in the faith, but those outside of it. Paul is making a point here that there is a special “bond of peace” that should exist between followers of Christ because we are actively walking in the previous six characteristics of attitudes and actions; humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love and diligence to preserve unity in the Spirit.
Colossians 3:14-17, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24, “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
Ed Petersen was a friend of mine, an elder in a church in which I grew up. He said once, “Sometimes attempting to love each other is like two porcupines trying to sleep together in a small bed. But as followers of Christ, we are to allow the Spirit to empower us to love and live with each other in the church in loving peace.”
In all relationships there can be pin pricks and wounds that are caused by our imperfections and sinful nature. But God calls us to walk in the above seven ways so that we can forgive each other and live in harmony with each other, especially in our Christian relationships. He has given us the Holy Scriptures to pattern our life after, the example of Jesus Christ to emulate and the Holy Spirit to empower us to keep in step with our holy calling, to walk as Jesus walked.
Brenda Salter McNeil tells the story of a diverse group of Christians who traveled across the United States visiting some of the places known for their racist past. McNeil writes:
“One of the stops on the trip is a museum with a collection of graphic photographs documenting the horrific lynchings of black people in America … Looking at photo after photo of young black men hanging from trees, or mothers hanging with their children, with white people often looking on in celebration, was intensely disturbing for the group. Most of the members couldn’t speak. They got back on the bus in complete silence. There was palpable tension. Finally, the white members broke the silence. Understandably, they were eager to defend themselves and put some distance between themselves and the immense brutality of what they had just witnessed. They hadn’t committed these terrible crimes, after all, and it was all such a long time ago.”
Then a black student stood up, in obvious pain and yet still calm, collected and quiet, and announced her conviction that all white people are evil. Shouting and disagreement erupted, and it was unclear how the group would be able to move forward from this experience.
Finally, a white female student stood up and said, “I don’t know what to do with what I just saw. I can’t fix your pain, and I can’t take it away, but I can see it. And I will work the rest of my life to fight for you and for your children so they won’t experience it.” She started to weep, and her mascara streaked down her cheeks, leaving dark trails.
The bus was silent, and then one of the group leaders said aloud, “She’s crying black tears.” She was indeed crying black tears. The black students on that bus now felt that someone identified with their pain and the experience of their people, and it was a profound moment of identification for all of them.”
Warren Wiersbe, “Moses reflected the glory of God, but you and I may radiate the glory of God.”
HUMILITY fosters
GENTLENESS which encourages
PATIENCE which empowers
TOLERANCE, which strengthens
LOVE which is the foundation for
DILIGENCE which preserves the unity of the Spirit and establishes
PEACE in the Body of Believers.
Eugene Peterson in his book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” states, “When mountain climbers are in dangerous terrain, on the face of a cliff or the slopes of a glacier, they rope themselves together. Sometimes one of them slips and falls – backslides. But not everyone falls at once, and so those who are still on their feet are able to keep the backslider from falling away completely. And of course, in any group of climbers there is a veteran climber in the lead, identified for us in the letter to the Hebrews as “Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
In our Christian fellowship we should support each other like mountain climbers. We do this by looking out for each other, rescuing each other, encouraging each other, showing love and concern for each other; so that no one falls or stumbles in their faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Will Rogers, actor, writer and speaker spoke some wise words once, He stated, “Live so that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”
THE CAUSE OF WHY WE ARE TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:4-6
“In the church we can have unity in diversity because our focus is on God and our central focus is on Him and His Truth, the One Truth. Today the diversity promoted is diversity with NO central truth. All paths are okay. There is no absolute truth. This diversity is so fluid and vacillating there is no truth, no life.” John Piper
Unity in God’s family is of prime importance to Him. Everything related to Christ’s Church, God’s Kingdom, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our salvation is related to the concept of unity. Here in Ephesians in chapter four Paul shares the seven foundation stones that support not only our salvation and faith, but also our communion with God and our fellow believers.
Can you imagine if all Christians were walking in obedience to the Word of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit, not only would our beliefs be unified, but our relationships with each other would be unified as well! While this will not be fully realized until we reach our heavenly home, we are urged by Paul in Ephesians to seek unity by the seven attitudes and actions I’ve already discussed and being aware of the seven foundation stones that are the cause of why we are to live like Christ in unity.
These foundation stones are established by the Triune God we serve and worship; Father, Son and Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4-6 illustrates the oneness and unity that exists in the family of God and how each member of the Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit, plays a foundational role in the stability, power and unity of the family of God.
As we cover these seven foundation stones we need to remember that these are present realities that exist now. We don’t have to wait to get to Heaven to experience them. Such strong, solid and godly stones establish the bedrock of not only our faith, but our relationship with God and others.
The first group of three foundation stones is mentioned in Ephesians 4:4.
ONE BODY
“There is one body”
There is only one true body of believers which is Christ’s church, His family. It is made up of every person who has accepted Christ as their Savior and who call Him their Lord and Master. This is the unified, holy and sanctified body of Christ, which draws its unity from the Father, Son and Spirit.
Several scripture passages establish this spiritual fact.
Romans 12:4-5, “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
1 Corinthians 10:17, “Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.”
1 Corinthians 12:12, “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.”
Colossians 3:15-17, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
In Ephesians chapter two we are told that members of the house of God, all of us both individually and corporately are part of the temple of the Lord.
Ephesians 2:19-22, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
Eugene Peterson, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” shares the following: “Important in any community of faith is an ever-renewed expectation in what God is doing with our brothers and sisters in the faith. We refuse to label the others as one thing or another. We refuse to predict our brother’s behavior, our sister’s growth. Each person in the community is unique; each is specially loved and particularly led by the Spirit of God…When we are in a community with those Christ loves and redeems, we are constantly finding out new things about them. They are new persons each morning, endless in their possibilities. We explore the fascinating depths of their friendship; share the secrets of their quest. It is impossible to be bored in such a community, impossible to feel alienated among such a people.”
ONE SPIRIT
“and one Spirit,”
There is only one Holy Spirit who inhabits each follower of Christ when they accept Christ as their Savior, Lord and Master at their conversion.
Scripture tells us that each Christian who has dedicated themselves to Jesus Christ is a temple of the Holy Spirit and is baptized into the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.”
1 Corinthians 12:13, “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.”
The Holy Spirit is given to us as a “pledge” of our heavenly inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
ONE HOPE
“just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”
Hope here is from the Greek word “elpis” which means to anticipate, usually with pleasure or an expectation either abstractly or concretely with confidence.
We all have hopes in our lives but often these do not come to fruition because they are based on wishful thinking or humanly devised reasoning. The hope spoken of here in this verse has its basis in our mighty and all powerful God who can be trusted to supply and deliver any promises He makes. Our godly hope was made possible by Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Our hope in Jesus Christ is that He paid for our sins and that we will eventually arrive in our Heavenly home. It is established and secure because of the veracity and power of God’s Holy Word and the promises of God for us as Disciples of Christ. This hope is further established by the seal placed upon us when we are saved and the Holy Spirit indwells us at conversion. Another solid hope we have is that Christ will one day return to defeat Satan and His demons once for all and establish His Kingdom on the earth.
Many scripture passages speak of this godly hope that is sure and true.
Ephesians 1:18-20, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ,”
Colossians 1:3-5, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel,”
Colossians 1:26-27, “…the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
1 Timothy 4:10, “For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”
The second group of three foundation stones is mentioned in Ephesians 4:5.
ONE LORD
“one Lord,”
There is only ONE Lord Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ has taken upon Himself human form to live as we live to demonstrate His holiness. Only Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and paid the price for them so that we might have eternal life. Only Jesus Christ rose from the grave to demonstrate the purity of His life and the power of God.
Acts 4:11-12, “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.”And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:12-13, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
1 Corinthians 8:5-6, “For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”
ONE FAITH
“One faith,”
The faith Paul speaks of here is not the faith we have when we believe in Jesus Christ, it is the one body of doctrine of God contained in the Old and New Testaments.
Jude 3 “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.”
Our Christian faith is contained in the Word of God which through the influence of the Holy Spirit was not only written, but is also understood. It is also through the power of the Holy Spirit in cooperation of our will that it is put into practice in our lives. There are enumerable truths in God’s Word and these form the faith upon which our Christian life is established.
ONE BAPTISM
“One baptism,”
Spiritual baptism where a believer is placed in the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit is implied in verse 4. Here baptism refers to the act of water baptism by which a follower of Christ proclaims their faith in Christ and commitment to Him. This does not imply that if you are not “water baptized” you are not a follower of Christ. It simply means that it is expected of a follower of Christ, as an act of obedience and as an expression of your faith that you would seek to obey the apostolic instruction to demonstrate your faith in Jesus by being baptized in His name. Jesus was baptized and so we follow in His obedience to do the same.
Specifically Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water as a sign of their previous acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior of their life and entrance into the communion of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. In other words, baptism is a token of the regenerated soul’s union with Christ. Baptism is an ordinance instituted by Christ (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16), practiced by the apostles (Acts 2:38), submitted to by members of New Testament churches (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-12), and subsequently practiced as a rite in Christian churches. This act of obedience symbolizes regeneration through union with Christ, baptism portrays not only Christ’s death and resurrection and their purpose in atoning for sin in delivering sinners from sin’s penalty and power, but also illustrates the accomplishment of that purpose in the person baptized (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:3). By that external rite the believer professes his death to sin and resurrection to spiritual life. He also gives witness to the method by which God’s purpose has been accomplished for him, namely, by union with Christ. The rite sets forth the fact that the believer has received Christ and in faith given himself to Him (Romans 6:5; Colossians 2:12). Only those who give credible evidence of regeneration, and who thus by faith have entered into the communion of Christ’s death and resurrection, are considered proper candidates for the rite. Biblical authority for this view is given in the command of Christ that those are to be baptized who have previously been made disciples (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41), or previously repented and believed (2:37-38; 8:12; 18:8). It is also proved from the nature of the church as a company of regenerated believers (John 3:5; Romans 6:13) and the symbolism of the ordinance itself (Acts 10:47; Romans 6:2-5; Galatians 3:26-27). Since it is intended only for the regenerate, baptism can never be the means of regeneration. It is the appointed sign, but never the condition, of forgiveness of sins.
Water baptism was an important way in which a follower of Christ demonstrated their faith and committed themselves to a local fellowship. Often there was great danger in such a public confession, because it was a demonstration of Christian faith which was witnessed by many, not always just fellow Christians.
Followers of Christ were baptized in the name of Christ only, not in the name of a church, individual or even an apostle. If you have not been baptized, it is an opportunity to not only show obedience in this area but is also a way to witness to others your faith in Christ and commitment to obey His teachings. If you have been baptized but at an early age or at a time when you did not fully understand the meaning. There is no issue with you being baptized again to demonstrate a new commitment to the Lord in your walk as a disciple.
The last foundation stone is found in Ephesians 4:6.
THE FATHER
“One God and Father of all”
One tenet of faith common to both Jew and Christian is that there is but One God.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 states, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
1 Corinthians 8:4, “there is no God but one”
But we also know that this One God is Triune, in three persons, Father, Son and Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”
“God” is often used in the Bible to represent the most inclusive title for the Trinity; Father, Son and Spirit. It is clear when Holy Scripture is taken as a whole that the Father, Son and Spirit are intimately unified in nature, power and action.
Paul is not meaning to separate the Father, Son and Spirit here in Ephesians, but to demonstrate their unique roles in the life of the Believer and the Church.
Our God and Father, as well as the Son and Spirit, are all sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. (All knowing) as described in the last part of verse 6 where it states that God is;
“Who is over all” Sovereign (supreme ruler over all)
“And through all” Omnipotent (all-powerful)
“And in all.” Omnipresent (all-present; free from the laws or limitations of space)
Knowing the God we serve and worship is our loving Heavenly Father, Jesus our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit our Comforter, we should live as loving and godly people and remember that the Truth of God explains our lives, the Grace of God fulfills our lives, the Forgiveness of God renews our lives and the Love of God blesses our lives.
Eugene Peterson from his book “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” states regarding Psalm 126 that, “It announces the existence of a people who assemble to worship God and disperse to live to God’s glory, whose lives are bordered on one side by a memory of God’s acts and the other by hope in God’s promises, and who along with whatever else is happening are able to say, at the center, “We are one happy people.”
REMEMBER!
Each of us as a disciple of Christ is…
A Member of His Family
A Minister of His Grace
A Model of His Character
A Messenger of His Love
A Magnifier of His Name
An old worship chorus sums up our commitment to unity in the Spirit as we love and protect each other and invite others into our fellowship.
We are One in the Spirit
Copyright 1966 Peter Scholte, F.E.L. (licensed)
We are One in The Spirit, We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit, We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, By our Love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
-2-
We will work with each other, We will work side by side.
We will work with each other, We will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity, And save each man’s pride.
Chorus
-3-
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand.
And together we’ll spread the News, that God is in our land.
EPHESIANS 4:7-32
LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING OF A CHRISTIAN
“1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Living a life worthy of our calling that we received when we accepted Christ as Savior involves;
- Being COMPLETELY Humble
- Being COMPLETELY Gentle
- Being Patient – Bear with one another in love
- Making EVERY effort to keep the unity of the Spirit – through the bond of peace (Christ is our peace Ephesians 2:14)
ONENESS
“4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
There is:
- One Body
- One Spirit
- One Hope to which we were called
- One Lord
- One Faith
- One Baptism
- One God and Father – who is
- Over all
- Through all
- In all
GRACE INDIVIDUALLY SPECIFICALLY GIVEN
“7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”
Psalms 68:18 – “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious — that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.”
Jesus ASCENDED TO HEAVEN (Acts 1:9-11)
Jesus had DESCENDED TO EARTH (The Depth of the Incarnation- His death)
THE FOLLOWING IS A STRAIN OF THE EPHESIANS REFERENCE
1 Peter 3:18-19 – “18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison” Between Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection Christ was physically dead but spiritually alive and He went and proclaimed his victory over death and sin in Sheol (the place of the departed dead) (He did not preach salvation in the depths).”
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE
“11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Christ gave us:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors/Teachers
TO PREPARE God’s people
- For works of service
- So that the body of Christ may be built up
- Until we ALL reach unity in the faith AND unity in the knowledge of the Son of God
- Mature
- Attaining the WHOLE measure of the FULLNESS of Christ.
THE RESULTS OF THE PROPER EXPRESSION OF THE FOUNDATIONAL OFFICES
“14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
THEN we will no longer be:
- Infants
- Tossed back and forth by the waves
- Blown here and there by every wind of teaching
- Blown here and there by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming
INSTEAD, speaking the TRUTH in LOVE
We will in ALL things grow up into Him who is the Head (CHRIST)
From Him the WHOLE body is
- Joined together
- Held together by every supporting ligament
- Grows
- Builds ITSELF up in love
- As each part does its work (as God works in each of us)
HOW NOT TO LIVE
“17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”
Paul tells them, but INSISTS on it in the Lord!
- You must no longer live as the Gentiles do.
- Futile in thinking
- Darkened in understanding
- Separated from the life of God
- Because of the ignorance that is inside
- Because of the hardened hearts
- Lost all sensitivity (to spiritual matters)
- Giving over to sensuality
- Indulging in every kind of impurity
- Continuing to lust for more
THE METHOD, MANNER, MEANS WE ARE TAUGHT AND THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE TEACHING
“20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Christians did not come to know about Christ in the ways of the Gentile false teachers or through normal human reasoning:
THE METHOD
- Christians hear of Christ
- Christians were taught in Christ
The MANNER
- In accordance with the TRUTH that is in Jesus
THE MEANS
- Being taught regarding the former way of life
- To put off the old self
- The old self is being continually corrupted by its deceitful desires
THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE MEANS
- Being made new in the attitude of their minds
- Putting on the NEW Self, created to be like God in
- In True righteousness
- In holiness
- Put off falsehood
- Speak truthfully to your neighbor (anyone and everyone, especially fellow Christians)
- Because we are all members of ONE Body
ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS TO AVOID and WHAT TO BEHAVE AND DO INSTEAD
“26 ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Do not sin in your anger (If angry, do not let the sun go down until it is resolved.)
- Do not give the devil foothold
- Do not steal, but work, so you may share with others
- Do not talk unwholesomely, but only speak in helpful ways, building others up according to their needs
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (With whom we are sealed for the day of redemption)
- Get rid of all:
-
- Bitterness
- Rage
- Anger
- Brawling
- Slander
- Every form of malice
- Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgive one another, just as Christ forgave you