A CONNECTING LINK. Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul's concern in the first three chapters of Ephesians was the development of the inner life of believers. In the last three chapters, the focus is on developing believers' outward Christian life and testimony. Position and practice must align for a believer to enjoy the life of faith. For those observing to see if Christianity is genuine, what I say and do should be consistent. Paul was a prisoner, it is true, but for the Lord, not because of wrongdoing. As he writes this letter, the importance of unity becomes very clear.
The word "walk" is mentioned seven times in this letter, and it emphasizes that one's behavior in every part of life should reflect being a child of God. One area where this is challenging is in how a person interacts with others. What I am inside is not obvious to most people. Family and close friends may see beyond my exterior. But for Christians overall, our relationships with one another determine whether our beliefs are attractive or off-putting. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another."
Our position, "seated with Christ in heavenly places," and our possessions, "filled with all the fullness of God," are demonstrated through our "walk," or behavior. The purpose of preaching the Gospel today, which brings salvation to the lost, is the same as that of the apostles. It is not only to identify and expose the disease of sin in every person but also to reveal the cure for sin. By preaching the Gospel, God calls sinners and shows them who they are and what Christ has done for them. Every believer, no matter where they are or who they are, has been united with the body of Christ. There is a unity in that body that is unaffected by denominational lines or lack of teaching. The unity of God's children remains intact and does not break apart into smaller pieces by human will. The church is a living organism made up of all believers.
Our understanding of the grace that has brought us into God's family is free and complete. Nothing else is required. However, there is an expectation that our response to such love will naturally lead a true believer to act with genuine humility. As heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, we are called to walk in a manner worthy of this calling. This was Paul's appeal to the early believers in Ephesus, who could have been divided by culture and race. The Gospel's calling has led us to see the importance of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for us. Given who He is, we should be humbled by our low state and the great blessing of being united in Christ. We are to walk in a way that reflects the redemption with which we have been blessed. Once dead in trespasses and sins, we have been redeemed with the "precious blood of Christ." Now, with this new position and life, it is important that our walk reflects such grace in the minds of others.
The life of a believer should not be marked by fits and stops but rather a steady walk, gradually building confidence in Christ and understanding that He cares about everything we do. Paul uses himself as an example: he introduces himself at the beginning of the book as an apostle who knows the truth of God. In the second half, he describes himself as a “prisoner of the Lord” who is walking worthily of his calling. Lowliness of mind, or humility, is recognizing ourselves for who we really are. It is an attitude of the mind that is possible through the Holy Spirit teaching us and by looking to our Lord Jesus, who was here on earth, appearing as a man. There was no boasting, pride, or self-centeredness in Him. “He humbled Himself…” We can and should do the same.
A realistic view of ourselves keeps us humble. Submission to divine control and self-control are true signs of a meek person. Meekness, which is power under control, is a Christian trait. It stands opposed to revenge, resentment, and retaliation. Lack of personal control cannot stay hidden for long. A patient temper that endures pain and provocation without retaliation shows a worthy walk. A longsuffering person does not yield to sudden anger or frustration. There is a gentle spirit in a worthy walk that observers can see in a Christian. Lowliness and gentleness, along with longsuffering, show consideration for others and patience for what we see is missing in them. This is one way we can live up to our calling.
That is why “forbearing” is necessary, because we must tolerate others, and they must tolerate us. Love, patience, and longsuffering among fellow saints are essential attitudes that should become evident early in our walk with the Lord. Our journey as believers is shown by our willingness to accept the mistakes, failures, and frailty of others without criticism or harsh reactions. Stepping in to help someone who has made a mistake and taking responsibility to correct an error demonstrates the unity of the body.
These attitudes serve as evidence and, to some extent, the core of love. The outcome of this is unity and peace, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This passage identifies seven unifying elements. The Spirit who brings these realities to us is a genuine individual, equal with the Father and the Son. Spiritual personhood does not rely on a physical body but on a mind [Rom.8:27] and a will [1 Cor.2:4]. Servants of the Lord were guided by and spoken to by the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.
The Spirit of God is separate from God the Father and God the Son but is also God, sharing an equal part of the Triune Godhead. He is omnipresent, eternal, all-knowing, and all-powerful. A clear example of unity among equals is when the Lord Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, and after His ascension, the Spirit was sent by Jesus to dwell within His followers.
The unity of the Spirit is a unity of privilege. God dwells in each person who is part of His family. This is effectively maintained when we are diligent in preserving unity, guarding it through the oneness of the Spirit. We all share the common experience of God's saving grace and sustaining power. This work of Christ within us shapes us into one body, where the bond of peace holds each member together. There is unity in the body because it is one organism made up of all believers across the centuries since our Lord Jesus ascended to heaven. The eternal Spirit has brought this about and sustains it by uniting us into one body with a single future goal.
There is also a unity of responsibility that is a response from all believers to God's grace. This is the unity of the Lord. Through our Lord Jesus, everything is created and maintained in perfect order. He is the Lord, the Owner of everything, and everything under His authority functions properly. Our one faith encompasses the complete body of doctrinal teaching and forms the foundation of our peace with God and the strength to live for the Lord. In the one baptism, our allegiance and loyalty to Him as Lord are publicly symbolized. We are identified with Christ in His supreme work—His death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf. When Christ died, I died. When He was buried, I was buried. When He rose from the dead, I was raised to walk in "newness of life." To accept this public responsibility identifies God's people not only in God's eyes but also in the eyes of mankind. We represent His name and interests as we carry out the commission He has given us.
The third evidence of unity is when we live worthily of our calling. That is the unity of relationship because of one God and Father of all who believe in Him. Our God and Father is the Sovereign of the entire universe. He is separate from humanity yet has made us His children through faith in Jesus Christ. We are placed as adult sons and daughters of His, with the dignity that comes with that calling. All believers can call Him, "Father." He is present in all believers, everywhere and at all times. He uses us to carry out His actions and accomplish His eternal purposes. He has given us grace that is full, free, and available at all times. We are not left powerless to do this. In our public walk with the Lord and in the expression of our faith, God's people share a unity of privilege through the indwelling Spirit in each person. Each one has the shared responsibility to represent our Lord Jesus Christ, so He may be seen in our mortal bodies by everyone who knows us. Every believer, from the beginning of the church to its completion, is part of that unity of relationship whereby we can say to God, "Abba, Father."