Ephesians Chapter 4

The Great Call To Walk in Unity

We will see that as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are in complete unity as one being; this is the expectation for the church!

Deb and I was talking this morning in how what ever we think is right we expect others to toe that line or we believe they are missing God, we also think whatever I believe is wrong others need to walk in my truth or they are wrong.

Unity wrapped in humility, gentleness, patience or Love

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

To walk: to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities.

The verb "walk" in the NT letters refers to the conduct of one's life, not to physical walking.

Such work is possible only as Christ modeled it, which is why Paul emphasizes humility, gentleness (meekness), patience, and love.

Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ’s kingdom and glory.

Calling: the divine invitation to embrace the salvation of God

So what we see is we are to, make every opportunity to (walk) conduct our life in such away that our life reflects this beautiful invitation to embrace Salvation.

Our lives are to be marked (Exhibiting) humility and gentleness, with patience and Love bound together in peace.

Humility: having a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's littleness.

This is not being worm dirty,

Just so we know

The word gentleness is actually meekness; which is less embraced then patience!

Meekness: that spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us without disputing and resisting; and also the accepting patiently of the injuries done us by men, out of the thought that they are permitted by God for the chastening and purifying of His people.

Forbearance: A legal term; the action of refraining from exercising a legal right, especially the payment of a debt.

So patience actually means I will suffer long all though I have a legal right to require you to pay the debt you have caused me to suffer.

Websters Dictionary

Patience is the ability to maintain a calm, self-possessed, and constructive attitude while enduring delays, difficulties, frustration, or suffering. It is an active, voluntary restraint rather than passive resignation, allowing for emotional control and persistence in the face of obstacles.

So question for you?

Are you a prisoner of the Lord’s?

That will walk in a manner worthy of this invitation of salvation marked with the fruit that reflects who you are bound to?

Striving for unity wrapped in peace?

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Colossians 3:12–17 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 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. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I know some of you may be like hey Pastor, we have heard this all many many times we get it!

Great, now show it!

In how you engage with one another; ie… how you walk it out as a prisoner of the Lord!

Ephesians 4:1–3 AMP

1 I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, 2 Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. 3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.