Ephesians: A Worthy Walk
Background: For the next month, we will be studying the Book of Ephesians, a letter Paul wrote while he was in jail in Rome, awaiting his first trial. Ephesus was one of his best churches, and he spent a lot of time there on his missionary journeys. The church likely planted the other churches of Asia Minor that Jesus referenced in Revelation 2-3.
Ephesians is easily outlined. Chapters 1-3 speak of the great salvation we have in Christ, which comes by grace through faith alone. Then, 4:1 is the turning point, where Paul admonishes them to "walk worthy of the calling you have received." We cannot be worthy of Christ's salvation - it is a gift of grace. But having received it, we can then, by the Spirit's power, WALK worthy. Chapters 4-6 describe the worthy walk. This is a favorite template for Paul. He develops a doctrine then applies it practically.
As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage.
Today's Reading: Ephesians 1-6 Focus Passage - Ephesians 4:2-6
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah 40, 1 Corinthians 15:1–34, Psalm 106:6–12, Proverbs 22:28–29
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Unity - First Things First
There is a movement in some circles of American Christianity that prizes doctrinal precision and I have always supported that. The Bible warns us repeatedly that as time went on, as the end drew nearer, there would be an increase in false teachers and false messiahs who would seek to lead God's people astray. Diligent study of God's word and sound preaching and teaching of the Scriptures is our best protection against being led astray by these servants of the enemy.
More recently, within this movement, there has come a disturbing trend. I read an article in which a man called the desire for unity in the church "idolatrous" and a barrier to doctrinal purity. Many have questioned the theological commitment of those who seek unity, as if the desire for a united Body of Christ equates to a willingness to compromise truth. They see unity as the enemy of truth and see Christian maturity as theological precision, as "calling out" anyone who disagrees with their doctrine. This view is widespread today.
Paul, the source of much of our sound theology, which he tells us in Ephesians 3 was given to him by special revelation from God, would disagree. In a clear example of "first things first" Paul began his teaching on how to "walk worthy" of the great salvation we have received from Christ with an admonition to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
It is instructive that he does not tell us to BUILD the unity of the Spirit or to CREATE the unity of the Spirit, but to KEEP it. Those God has saved through the blood of Christ have a supernatural bond of unity. I've worshiped with people in Central America, Asia, and Africa, people whose language I did not even understand. In Christ, we had a bond that was real. It is our duty, in the Spirit's power, to hold on to the unity that Christ gave us and not to mess it up with our selfishness, our desire for power, our fleshly behavior.
This passage gives us several tools to hold onto our unity in Christ. The first is unity. Disunity in the church is always rooted in pride. Only one person deserves glory in the church and that is our Savior. When we seek it, we sin. We are to be gentle with one another, being careful not to injure others. We must bear with one another. Of course, forgiveness is a huge issue for unity, but God saves a lot of weird people, doesn't he? (Look in a mirror?) We must overlook the annoying and weird things our brothers and sisters in Christ do. Finally, he says we must make EVERY EFFORT to maintain unity. Unity matters. It matters a lot.
Finally, Paul reminds us that we are unity not by our culture or by our race or by anything other than our Lord, our faith, and our baptism - the work of God in us through Christ, by the Holy Spirit - our unity is Trinitarian.
Yes, theology matters. Doctrine is important. Still, anyone who doesn't see Paul's heart for the unity of the Body of Christ is guilty of bad doctrine and weak theology. A broken, fractured Body of Christ will never function properly.
Help me, Father, as I proclaim your word, and sound doctrine, to also be a man of unity, humble, gentle, and to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Think and Pray:
Are you an agent of unity in the Body of Christ?
Are you making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
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