Called to Unity
Notes
Transcript
When we are called we want to be ready…
v1; Called
v1; Called
Therefore…
Up to this point in the letter, Paul has been giving them information. Building a theology for them to help them understand how God has saved them and what an incredible work of salvation it is.
Walk…
He’s telling them now how they should live in light of that truth. In a way worthy of the salvation they’ve been called to.
vv2-3; The manner
vv2-3; The manner
humility
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
gentleness
This is the same root word translated as meekness in the Beatitudes when Jesus says the meek will inherit the Earth.
patience… love
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
unity… peace
We are united because we share the Spirit and this brings into a bond of peace.
vv4-6; One
vv4-6; One
body - The Church
Spirit - Holy Spirit
hope - Jesus
Lord - Just Jesus
faith - In Jesus
baptism - in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Father
He’s everywhere. I don’t think that’s a threat, but it’s a reminder.
Your parents ever tell you when they aren’t around “if you do something I’ll find out about it”? That’s kind of what Paul is doing here I think.
These verses are reminiscent of the High Priestly Prayer to me.
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
So Christians are called, in each church and as the church universal, to humbly live in peace and unity. This unity is based on who He is and his unity and the one way to be saved that He has provided for us.
There’s a lot of disunity in the world today over all kinds of different issues, but that’s to be expected. But there’s also a lot in the church among Christians. For lot’s of different reasons, and so many of them are focussed on us and not on God.
Jesus said that the world will know us by our love for each other. By the unity we share through Jesus. The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
So Christians, we won’t agree on everything. That’s going to happen. But we must still be unified so the world will see Jesus in us!