How much does the unity of the church depend on you? Some folks may think, “Not much,” but they would be mistaken. The unity of “the whole body” of Christ depends upon “every part” of that body (Eph. 4:16). United, the body of Christ can do great things for Him. Think about your human body and how, when every part is united, you can do great things, but when even one part is not “working” as it should, the “whole” body is affected.
The same is true for the body (i.e., the church) of Christ. It is essential for each part to “work” and to “do its share” (4:16). But, before we even engage in work, there are some attitudes that we must possess. If any part of the body (that includes me and that includes you) does not possess each of these attitudes, the unity of the body is in peril. The Lord calls each of us to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph. 4:1), and then He discloses essential attitudes that we must have toward ourselves and others for the “one body” to grow and function as it should.
A worthy walk before the Lord involves “all lowliness” (4:2). Humility is essential for unity. This “lowliness of mind” involves esteeming ourselves as small and others as “better” than self (Phil. 2:3). What a challenge!
A worthy walk before the Lord involves “gentleness” (4:2). Gentleness is essential for unity. This attitude of meekness expresses itself in a submissive gentleness “to all men” (Tit. 3:2), especially when maltreatment may provoke a heart of malice or a desire for revenge. Challenging!
A worthy walk before the Lord involves “longsuffering” (4:2). Patience is essential for unity. Rather than being short-fused, we must, “with joy” (Col. 1:11), be long in coming to anger, as the Lord is with us (2 Pet. 3:15). What a challenge!
A worthy walk before the Lord involves “bearing with one another in love” (4:2). Self-restraint is essential for unity. The idea here is of holding one’s self back, especially when provoked, and extending gracious patience until the vexing episode is past, for that is what agape love does (1 Cor. 13:5-7). What a challenge!
A worthy walk before the Lord involves these four attitudes which lead to “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3). Diligence is essential for unity. It will not happen by accident. We must make every effort, “as much as depends on” each of us (Rom. 12:18), to “pursue peace” (Heb. 12:14) and maintain unity among ourselves. What a challenge!
Yes, the unity of the church depends on you!