“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,
‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.’
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:1-8,11-16
Their calling was clear and certain: to the one hope that is Christ. From different backgrounds and with varying proclivities and gifting, the heavenly summons had effectively drawn each in the Ephesian church to the Lord. One faith, one baptism, they were to labor and grow as one body under God to a unified, mature spiritual manhood.
This may seem impossible today. Strong opinions and party platforms fracture society; disagreement, strife, and destructive heresies divide the Body, preferences and personalities unsettle individual churches and relationships. Ignorance and hard hearts prevent many from even recognizing truth. Unity is an unrealistic, unreachable goal… in the flesh.
But under God’s wide grace, it is possible. It is a command with specific operational principles: humility, gentleness, patience. It is a directive that expects measurable growth and strengthening. It is an order to put off and away and wash clean old ways in order to establish a flow of the new to reflect the likeness of God. And what the Lord requires, He enables, with our cooperation in the one Spirit who binds us together. By grace we’ve been saved and by grace we’re sanctified unto the good works God intends. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:17-32)
The one hope to which we are called is fuel for the unity we live and serve to achieve. In what areas have we developed beyond spiritual and practical childhood? What areas in our character or habits need special attention: daily disciplines, language, entertainment choices, relational interactions and care? How are we implementing the one hope we share in Christ with other believers in everyday work and encounters? How can we better foster growth in the unity of faith the Lord commends? Proclaiming truth in love and promoting the upbuilding of God’s people encourages all to practice increasing maturity.
Lord, help me envelop others in Your wide grace to effectuate deeper hope and unity.
As the rain and snow 