Ephesians Chapter 4 Unity in the body of Christ
Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity in the Body of Christ
Verses 1-2 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.
We are the Church! Live a life worthy of this calling.
Somewhere along the history of the Church, believers began associating "going to church" as an obligation of their faith instead of an act of worship and service. As such, we forget that we are Christ's representatives to the world in our everyday ordinary lives.....not just on Sunday. He calls us to be salt and light.....we are to illuminate and reflect Christ to the non-believing world and we are to make people thirst for wanting to know Him because of what our lives represent. We need to take notice of our lives to ensure that we are living "a life worthy of the calling" that we have received. How do we live in our work life? When we go to the grocery store? When someone treats us unfairly? When we suffer difficult circumstances? When life is going smoothly? Do we "act" differently around other believers than we do around non-believers? If so, then our faith is just that..."an act". Lets evaluate our lives and follow Paul's urging! How are we to live? We are to be "completely humble and gentle" To be humble doesn't mean that we expect to be treated as if we are broken, unworthy, mousy people. Our identify should be firmly established in Christ. He has made us worthy to approach God with confidence. I grew up with a saying taken from the title of Christian book called How To Live Like A King's Kid, by Harold Hill. Knowing that I was a King's Kid gave me much needed confidence navigating my way as a young girl. As an adult, I'm still a King's Kid. Christ want's us to live a life of greatness! That doesn't mean arrogance but being a servant leader (Matthew 20:26). As a servant, we aren't to think any less of ourselves. We are of such great value, Christ died for us to provide a costly redemption. We are to recognize our value but be willing to also lay our lives down in serving others. We are called to think or ourselves less....don't demand our rights. Thinking of ourselves less doesn't mean we think less of our selves. We are called to be patient with others, bearing with one another in love. As believers, we have adopted a cultural saying...."grin and bear it". There are times when interfacing with people, I feel strained in being patient with them. As a believer, I am called to patience and sometimes the best that I can do is to choose to be patient even if I don't feel like it. This does not give me license to then go and talk bad about someone in the spirit of gossip. Being patient with others sometimes take alot of discipline and strength. When I am being patient out of obedience yet struggling, I make that an offering to God. But what I have to constantly remind myself, is that I don't have to be obedient in my own strength. God doesn't ever command us to something that He doesn't also equip us to do. We need to grasp this truth: patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23). Patience as it pertains to interacting with people is not a gift that He imparts to some people but a fruit that, as believers, we are to cultivate through submission to the Holy Spirit. It's a promise based on grace....we don't have to earn this fruit....we have to humble ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to do a working in us! |
It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 |
Verses 3-5 Make every effort to keep the unity of the 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.
How do we "keep the unity of the Spirit" among the body of Christ?
Unity does not just happen. We are commanded to make "every effort" to keep unity through the bond of peace. First, we are to recognize.....really recognize....that there is one body. one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. This is what unites us, yet we allow the body of Christ to be divided by our doctrines. Doctrines do separate by definition but they do not have to divide. We can be respectful of one another without casting condemnation on differences in understanding and practices. The body of Christ is less effective if it is divided. It is certain that Satan wars against the Church, but we do not have to give the devil a foothold by weakening the body by attacking each other from within. 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. John 17:22-23 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts and through all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free --and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 24-25 |
How do we weaken the body of Christ?
It is understandable to be passionate about beliefs. We should invest ourselves in knowing what we believe, why we believe and how to explain what we believe. But sometimes that passion creates greater division between each other when we widen the gulf between doctrinal beliefs through quarrels and arguments. It is unrealistic to expect that even within a church that everyone will agree on all points. There is even a greater difference between churches when there are significant doctrinal differences. If given the opportunity to discuss these differences more often then not arguments erupt. So what should we do? Here are some considerations:
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 |
Verse 7 -10 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
But to each one of us GRACE has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Out of good intentions, we will try to keep the unity. We know this in theory but we don't practice it. In my own experience, I know it is because I try to rely too often on my own strength and know-how. My desire is to be prayerful of allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me to humble myself in respect to others. When we insist on our own way. When we insist that what we know is "right and correct" and other's "have it all wrong"; this is a form of pride. Not only were we saved by grace, but Christ allocates us the grace needed (as needed) in every situation to do as He has commanded us to do. Why did Paul quote Psalm 68:18? In this Psalm, God is pictured as a conqueror marching to the gates and taking tribute from the fallen city. Paul uses that picture to teach that Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection, was victorious over Satan. Christ is Lord over the whole universe, past, present and future. Nothing or no one is hidden from Him. The Lord of all came to earth and faced death to rescue all people. No one is beyond His reach. He also came to reconcile us to the Father so that we can be united together as One Body in His service. Why would we be so willful in creating divisions among believers? In our military, we have different "arms of service". You have the Army, the Navy, the Marines. Each focuses on a specific aspect but serves one another in battle. What would happen if within the Army, divisions were created during battle allowing differing units to form as they interpreted the Commander instructions differently. How effective would they be? Not only would they be less effective but they would be in danger of enemy attacks as those divisions created by differences in instructional interpretations would weaken the overall unit. And just as devastating but perhaps more significant would be the fact that they would not be able to fulfill the mission they were assigned. |
Why has this grace been given to us?
When God's grace is working in, His grace can work through us to extend it to others. It is through this grace at work in us that we can keep the bond of peace. This grace has also been given to each of us to be able to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received". The Greek word used here is klésis meaning summons or invitation. What was the invitation (calling) that we received? We were called/invited to received His free gift of salvation. We were invited to join His family and live with Him in eternity. It is because of this calling that we are told to live a life worthy of that invitation. When we think about "a calling" we seem to naturally jump into wondering what lofty position or ministry He has called us into. Missions? Perhaps. Leadership? Maybe. This we must remember.....if He calls us into leadership.....He calls us to be a servant leader (Luke 22:24-30). God has given us each abilities, by His design, that are to be used to serve and strengthen the whole body of Christ. No service should be seen as large or small. The next time you begin to think in those terms, cut off your little finger and see how easy it is to serve with your hands. Or break your little toe and see how painful it is as you walk around with a limp. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!". On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; it one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:21-22; 24 |
Verse 11 - 13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and 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 in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
What is our role as followers of Christ?
We are all called to one purpose: to serve God and bring Him glory (which means to be a reflection of Him to the world). God's word is full of instructions on what it means to be a follower of Christ. If we seek Him in His Word, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us mature in Him in cultivating obedience and Godly desires, spiritual maturity will follow. Until we feel led in a specific direction of service, it is always best to make ourselves available for what ever service is needed within the Church. Perhaps volunteers are needed to serve as greeters, ushers or children's church helpers. We shouldn't look at these roles as necessarily lifelong careers in ministry but as steps in being obedient to serve where service is needed. You might be amazed at what the Holy Spirit will develop inside you as you respond one step at a time in obedience. Many of us may not be called to a ministry as a vocation as verse 11 has indicated. However, we should not miss out in that we may not be called to be an Evangelist but we can fill the role of evangelism even it we are a Computer Programmer. We may not all be called to Teach with the authority of a Teacher but He calls all of us to "gently teach one another" in order to disciple one another in His Word. He may not call us to be a Prophet but He has given us the Counselor to understand the wisdom of His word so as to not be led astray from false teachings and prophecies. Again, because we are all parts of the Body of Christ, we should not compare ourselves to one another as a means of determining greatness but we should see our role as Christ see's us collectively. We could not be doing anything more greater than what He has determined in advance for what He has called us to do. Let us not miss out on the opportunity to fulfill the role that He has called us to fill because we are too caught up in "role envy". |
What is our goal as followers of Christ?
When we are obedient to our calling and role, what results is the building up of the body of Christ. That is our goal so that we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature. Spiritual maturity and the growth of the Church results. As we serve and grow one another, we also become more appealing to those outside the Church and we become instruments used by God to draw people to the Church. But when we create divisions, when we are ignorant of our hypocrisy, when we don't hold each other accountable but act in judgment of one another, we push people away from the Church. LAN: God has given His Church an enormous responsibility. to make disciples in every nation (Matthew 28:18-20). This involves preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administering, building and many other tasks. If we had to fulfill this commands as individuals, we would certainly fall short of the task and most likely give up - it would be impossible. But God calls us as members of His body. Together we can obey God more fully than any of us could alone. Working together, the church can express the fullness of Christ (3:19). We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 |
Verse 14-16 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there be every wind of teaching and by the cunning and draftiness 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, that is, Christ. 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.
What is this verse conditional on?
When the Church functions as Christ intended it to function as His body. When we grow in spiritual maturity, when we are obedient to Christ and the gifts and roles that He has given through grace, we grow in the fullness of Christ. Only then we will no longer be infants and vulnerable to cultural influences, worldly desires and goals, erroneous teachings and those intent on deceiving. When the body of Christ functions in the way that we are commanded we will look out for the interests of others, we will lovingly hold each other accountable to the truth in His Word and we will support one another by building each other up in love "as each part does its work". |
How can we grow up into Christ?
LAN: The answer is that Christ forms us into a body - into a group of individuals who are united in their purpose and in their love for one another and for the Lord. If an individual stumbles, the rest of the group is there to pick him or her up and help him or her walk with God again. If an individal sins, he or she can find restoration through the church (Galatians 6:1) even as the rest of the body continues to witness to God's truth. |
Ephesians 4:17-32 Living as Children of Light
Verse 17 - 19 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. 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. 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.
What is futile thinking?
This refers to the natural tendency of people (both believers and non-believers) to remain in the rut of their own understanding....to apply their own understanding of a situation....to think and reason things their own way. This type of thinking is arrogant. It can lead us astray because we are not following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It can lead to excusing and justifying behaviors and choices in which we should ask for forgiveness (which leads to transformation). It can lead to bitterness and even unjustifiable anger against God if we blame Him for the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Paul says that he "insists" on this change of thinking if we are in the Lord. As believers, we should no longer live as the Gentiles (this was used as a reference to those who do not know God). Those who do not choose to believe or follow God, will arrogantly follow what appeals to them and are limited to what they can reason. Matters of faith seem foolish to them and, in many cases, stirs up a revulsion against believers because living by faith is so extreme to their way of thinking. |
What is the ignorance mentioned in these verses?
The ignorance mentioned here is intended to inflect a willful blindness. Although Scripture explains that those who who don't know the Lord and lack the Holy Spirit, will not be able to fully grasp the Gospel (REF ); what Paul is talking about are those who willfully choose to turn their backs on God. This tells me that people sense His drawing but they choose not to respond to His invitation. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:18-19, 21-23 |
Verse 20 - 24 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We came to know God through Christ.
God has always revealed Himself through His creation so that men would be without excuse.....all they had to do was to reach out to Him. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1: 20 But Paul says that "we have not come to know Christ that way". The Ephesians had heard about Christ and His teaching and taught in the truth of who He was as testimony of His resurrection. This is true of us today! And because of this truth, we are told to "put off" our old self....our old way of thinking and "put on the new self" which is transformed with a "new attitude" and a new way of thinking. We are made to be a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 ) but we have to exercise a choice because our old nature is still present. This choice is a daily, conscious commitment to put on Christ. Similar to choosing what to wear but not as easily accomplished. Our old nature is very stubborn which is why laying it down....just like the daily morning sacrifices....we must consciously choose to live for Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to rule in our hearts. |
Jesus is the visible image of God
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:15-18 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 |
Verse 25-28 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. 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.
THEREFORE, what must each of us do? First, be honest in speech and in work!
We are EACH accountable to right behavior and choices which includes:
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Personal transformation happens through a personal encounter with Jesus. The apostle Paul reminds us in these verses that 180 degree change in lifestyle should result from an encounter with Jesus when he penned these words. (To Transform a City)
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Verse 29 - 32 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
What ELSE must be careful to do? Our words and actions should not only be truthful but uplifting as it impacts those we are talking to and others who might be listening.
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Extending Grace
Other translations render the following: " ...so that it will give grace to those who hear." The original Greek word used is #5485, charis, meaning grace, kindness, favor and it implies "extending grace and favor towards others." The grace of God is working in each of us making us more like Jesus. If we live grace and breath grace then we should also speak grace to others. "But to each one of us grace has been given us Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4:7 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45 But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. Matthew 15:18 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10 |
Forgiving Others As Christ Forgave Us - Until we understand how vast the chasm was that spearated us from God and compare it to our new position seated with Christ in the heavenly places, we ill never be able to forigive others to the depth God calls us to.
BEFORE: Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2
AFTER: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:6
Paul speaks of this action as if it has already taken place. He assumes it is only a matter of time before it takes place. He held great confidence that those who have truly come to faith in Christ can anticipate future eternity with the Lord. (Bibleref.com)
For more on this, see First15, Our Forgiveness in Jesus. It is so easy to take the grace freely gifted us through the forgiveness provided for granted. If we do not cultivate an understanding of this truth, we can easily become complacent to this truth and not live in the thankfulness we have been called to live. But when we understand the depth of our forgivenss and the blessings provided in Christ (understanding that we were not only saved FRON death but saved FOR life in Christ forever in the heavenly places), our perspectives informing our thoughts, decisons, actions and how we relate to others would be wholely different.
BEFORE: Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2
AFTER: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:6
Paul speaks of this action as if it has already taken place. He assumes it is only a matter of time before it takes place. He held great confidence that those who have truly come to faith in Christ can anticipate future eternity with the Lord. (Bibleref.com)
For more on this, see First15, Our Forgiveness in Jesus. It is so easy to take the grace freely gifted us through the forgiveness provided for granted. If we do not cultivate an understanding of this truth, we can easily become complacent to this truth and not live in the thankfulness we have been called to live. But when we understand the depth of our forgivenss and the blessings provided in Christ (understanding that we were not only saved FRON death but saved FOR life in Christ forever in the heavenly places), our perspectives informing our thoughts, decisons, actions and how we relate to others would be wholely different.