Eph 4:1-16 — Unity in the Body of Christ
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
I’ve had this particular study Bible I’m using here for just over a year now (I like to use new Bibles pretty regularly). This section of scripture has been referred to a number of times already. In fact, out of the 16 verses, 11 have been highlighted or underlined. So…I guess it’s important!
To start with, Paul urges us “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1) and to do this while being “completely humble and gentle,” by being “patient, bearing with one another in love” (4:2). This should raise the bar high for all of us. Christ has called us his sons and daughters, heirs to the throne, ambassadors, those who are his hands and feet for this world. If we understand this calling, then living a life “worthy” is a tall order–one that is impossible without Christ. And that’s exactly where he wants us to be: living a life beyond our capability, only possible with the help of Jesus Christ, where his grace is sufficient for us, in our weakness, we are made strong.
We must do this with humility and with a sense of purpose. This will make the gospel attractive to as many people as possible. But as we do that, we will increase the complexity of the church by inviting all kinds of people from various backgrounds, economic levels, education, cultures, etc. This means it will be tough! Still, we are urged to do this humbly and with a focus on unity in the church. “There is one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (4:4-5).
Christ knows us well and gave us gifts through the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church and for us to attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (4:13). We do this together, working with each other, making mistakes and picking each other up when we fall. We speak the “truth in love” (4:15) so we can grow together, not out of vain conceit. “Each part does its work” (4:16) and we grow together. When we do this, the world will want to learn more about Christ. Lord help me to keep you in the center of all my prayers, time, attention and intentions for the future. Help me to be consistently moving toward you, helping others along the way!