Unity of the Body

Re:Cap

We’ve discussed 1. Salvation by Grace, through faith alone; something that cannot be attained by good works . . . EVER!

Regarding good works, once saving faith has been produced in the life of the believer, then good works will spring forth naturally; works which God has prepared beforehand.

In addition, Paul highlighted how, in Christ, 2. God removed the distinction of Jewish person and Gentile person and, within Himself, created one new person; both to be in Christ.

Therefore, any hostility between Jew and Gentile was to be eradicated and true Christian love between the races and ethnicities were to be experienced between them.

Lastly, we discussed, from Chapter 3, how we are to 3. Live (or Suffer) for the benefit of others. Christian suffering was a reality within the life of a believer, namely in : Persecution or a Trial (of any kind) and the purpose of these is for the building up of our faith AND for the benefit of the body of Christ.

We see this in Ephesians 3 where Paul speaks of all of the revelations and mysteries that were made known to him in Christ yet, through all of this, he was in prison; in fact, prior to his conversion, God told Ananias in Acts 9:16 “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”

Today, we come to Ephesians 4. In light of everything we’ve discussed: Salvation by Grace through Faith, Removing any Unnecessary hostility between people, and Living or Suffering for the Benefit of Others, Paul now comes to this conclusion: Unity in the Body of Christ

Body

1. Walk Worthy

Paul tells the church at Ephesus there’s a suitable manner by which a believer should carry themselves.

We should note: this is not an exhortation for legalistic works no, on the contrary, this is an exhortation to live out your calling; namely, the works of If you’ve been called by God into this Salvation, then walk as though you’reEphesians 2:10 which Paul spoke of.

If you’ll recall, Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Therefore, what Paul is saying is this: since you’ve been called, rely upon the Holy Spirit to walk in the manner that’s worthy (suitable) for your calling.

He gives instruction regarding this manner:

a. Humility

b. Gentleness

c. Patience

d. Bearing with one another in love

e. eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

a. Humility

The word Paul uses here has a definition of “humiliation of mind; modesty - humbleness of mind”

An outline of Biblical Usage (how this word is used in the Scriptures) reveals to us:

i. the having a humble opinion of one’s self

ii. a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness

iii. modesty, humility, lowliness of mind

In other words, to be truly humble toward a brother or sister is having the right view of yourself

to have the right view of oneself (the right posture of humbleness), in my opinion, is this: to know where I’d be if it wasn’t for the grace of God so, therefore, no matter how good I might be doing today compared to another brother or sister, I am what I am and who I am by the grace of God. Therefore, I won’t look down upon any other Brother or Sister, on the contrary, if anyone falls, I would like to help restore them, in humility.

If anyone is in sin or not walking in a manner worthy of their calling, then I would pray for them and come alongside them to encourage them

I choose not to criticize, cut-down, or condemn by brothers and sisters, I choose to raise up.

b. Gentleness

CounterCulture

Paul was calling for the believers to live in a manner that was contrary to the culture in which they grew up.

Humility and Gentleness were not considered virtues within Rome; in fact, one commentator states they could’ve been considered vices; which is immoral or wicked behavior.

**BREAK**

STOP for a moment.

In our American culture, we consider Patience, Humility, and as we’ll see Gentleness, Patience, and so on as good things however, in Roman culture these weren’t necessarily accepted.

Question: what is it in your culture that’s accepted and/or tolerated that the word of God doesn’t tolerate nor accept?

What, in your family, is normally accepted/tolerated but goes against your inner man?

Mark Driscoll: one pastor, in speaking about family time at the holidays says you wouldn’t have dinner with a drunkard if your kids were around . . . except during the holidays because they’re family.

Question: why is it acceptable from family but not others?

There must come a point where we no longer tolerate behaviors (that is, behaviors from our own selves)

**END BREAK**

The word gentleness, when translated, means meekness (Gentleness = Meekness) carries with it the idea of quietness, submissiveness

In fact, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and is required when restoring a Brother in the Lord from a place of sin (Galatians 6) and is to be applied when correcting someone who is in theological error (2 Timothy 2:25)

In addition: Vines Dictionary indicates this word Gentleness and the word Humility are closely linked together, and the first act of meekness is toward God.

Afterward, it translates toward each other; which is what Paul is getting to when he brings it up in Chapter 4.

Has Gentleness Been Produced in My life yet?

c. Patience

One commentator states:

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23), a defining quality of love (1 Cor. 13:4), and a characteristic Christians are to display to one another (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:2).

In addition, patience is a reflection of the heart of God.

Another way to define this word “Patience’ is the definition of “Long-Suffering”

There’s an implication of Suffering behind it; maybe not suffering in the sense for Christ, but not allowing our emotions and selfish desires to lead us away from another Brother or Sister in the Lord; in fact, Paul pushes further by saying:

d. Bearing With One Another

One commentator states: “The writer […] does not, however, simply say, ‘Love one another.’ Rather, he exhorts his readers to allow themselves to be imposed upon by other Christians and to do so as an act of love.”

This is more than simply tolerating with someone; it’s when you feel stretched to the max with this person, but I still have to love them.

It’s easy to come to church Sunday morning, perform our routine, and leave.

It’s a whole other thing to actually take time to talk, exchange numbers, call throughout the week, go to lunch, have coffee, spend time together outside of the church.

**To me, this is where we need to be as God’s people.

Paul says we do this “in love”

Everywhere throughout the Old and New Testaments; particularly in 1 Corinthians 13, that LOVE is the foundation upon which all the law and the prophets are founded.

We’re more than happy to receive that love for me, but we’re commanded by God to give that love to all; especially to the household of faith.

As much as God bears with us, so we must bear with each other.

What’s the motivating factor that leads us to do this? LOVE

e. Eager to Maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace

One commentator notes The word used for “eager” is the same word Paul uses in the context of intense effort and labor involved in making a trip or journey AND . . .

Peter uses it designate earnest effort:

2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Again, the same commentator notes Paul encourages the church to MAINTAIN not CREATE UNITY.

The unity was already created in Christ because it’s a unity of God’s Spirit; in other words, nothing created by man.

Therefore, we must work to maintain this unity with each other

Note: the “work” implied here is not works for salvation or continued justification before God; it’s a work for, and on behalf of, one another: a love toward each other.