One – Ephesians 4:1-6
With so much contention in our lives, we see political parties railing against each other. We see nations at war with each other. We see peoples against one another. Sadly, in the church as believers, we see Christians not living out the oneness we have in Jesus.
Paul begins this passage with an earnest plea:
Ephesians 4:1-3 (CSB) “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Walk worthy of your calling! This isn’t a suggestion—it’s an urgent appeal from a man in chains for the gospel. Paul understands that our unity as believers reflects Christ to a watching world. When we fracture over secondary issues, argue over preferences, or divide over personalities, we dishonor the very calling we’ve received.
Notice the character qualities Paul emphasizes: humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. These aren’t natural responses when we disagree—they’re supernatural fruit of the Spirit within us. Humility means putting others above ourselves. Gentleness reflects Christ’s meekness. Patience endures through frustrating moments. And bearing with one another in love? That’s choosing to overlook offenses and extend grace even when it’s difficult.
Paul then reveals the foundation of our unity:
Ephesians 4:4-6 (CSB) “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Seven times Paul emphasizes “one”—this is the unshakeable foundation of Christian unity. One body: we belong to each other as members of Christ’s body. One Spirit: the same Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. One hope: we share the same eternal destiny. One Lord: Jesus Christ is the head of us all. One faith: we trust in the same gospel. One baptism: we’ve all been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. One God and Father: we’re all children of the same heavenly Father.
This unity isn’t something we create—it already exists! Paul says to “keep” the unity of the Spirit, not “make” it. Our oneness is grounded in theological reality, not emotional agreement. We don’t have to like each other’s worship style, political views, or ministry methods to be one in Christ.
The world desperately needs to see this unity. When believers from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives demonstrate love for one another despite their differences, it’s a powerful testimony to the transforming power of the gospel. Our unity becomes a megaphone, proclaiming that Christ has indeed broken down dividing walls and made peace.
Yet how often do we let secondary issues divide us? How frequently do we allow personal preferences to become sources of conflict? How easily do we forget that the believer we’re criticizing is our brother or sister, united with us in the deepest possible way through Christ’s blood?
Paul’s call to “make every effort” suggests this unity requires intentional work. It means choosing humility over pride, gentleness over harshness, patience over impatience. It means bearing with that difficult church member, extending grace to the believer whose politics differ from ours, and speaking truth in love rather than winning arguments.
Are we making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit? Are we walking worthy of our calling by demonstrating the supernatural oneness we have in Christ?
Jesus prayed for this very thing in John 17:21: “that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” The unity He prayed for reflects the perfect oneness within the Trinity itself. In a world torn apart by division, let’s be the answer to Jesus’ prayer—living proof that He makes people one.
