Day 8 | Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
For Reflection:
These are strong words of encouragement coming from Paul who is in prison. Words, tasking each brother and sister in Christ, to stay humble, gentle, and patient as they live with love. Words emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity in His Spirit. I wonder about the people of Ephesus who were receiving these entreaties. They were part of the church… an integral piece of spreading the gospel. Why was Paul stressing so intently the importance of living in peace with one another?
The Message version of these verses say, “In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. 4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.”
As I read these verses, I’m struck with the realization of what Paul is really communicating in his letter. I wonder again about the church in Ephesus. I wonder about our church today. Both the church, North Harbor, and also the Church, Global. Do we walk or better yet, run, on the road God called us to travel? Do we travel together, in the same direction permeated with Oneness in Christ; or are each of us on our own individual journey strolling down some path that suits our fancy and may lead us away from God instead of closer as He desires? I wonder about the Global Church, comprised of man-designed denominations, traditions and structures. Is our concern for rules and structure or even on the flip side, for individuality, helping draw us closer to Christ; or is it possibly dividing us and causing us to wander in different directions? Are we heeding Paul’s advice to travel together steadily with humility and discipline, alert at noticing when our focus is shifting away from Christ and quick to come alongside each other in community?
While his entreaties are powerful and exude urgency, it’s important to understand that Paul is not urging us to be identical people… that differences or individuality are wrong; but rather that Christ’s desire is that we were created to exist in oneness in Him. Looking both inward and outward, let’s ask ourselves whether we are living in patience and humility, loving those around us, and moving through life in unity in Him. As Paul encouraged, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Let us Pray:
God, I naturally tend to cringe at the concept of unity and oneness with those around me. The words make me feel boxed in and like I have no autonomy. Help me to see that unity does NOT mean sameness… instead recognizing the beauty that exists in having the same purpose and goal of furthering your kingdom through our love for others. The same purpose, uniqueness in how we accomplish or go about this. Thank you for your promises. Amen.
Questions:
As I engage with the community around me, how might I be encouraged by Paul’s words to the Ephesians?
What might oneness in Christ look like in my family? In my church? In the Global Church?