15 June 2023 - What is needed for Unity?

Ephesians 4:1-6 (AMP) So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called , with all humility , and gentleness , with patience, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace . There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul highlights five of these qualities that are necessary to maintain unity.

• Humility, Philippians 2:5-8 (MSG) Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

• Gentleness, Galatians 5:22-23a (MSG) But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

• Patience, 1 Timothy 1:16 (TLB) But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life.

• Love, John 15:13 (TLB) And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends;

• Zeal, Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

If we cultivate these qualities that are found in Jesus and that the Spirit produces in us, we will be empowered to walk in a manner worthy of our call and pursue Christian unity.

The result will be a visible peace that binds us together and displays the wisdom and glory of God to an unbelieving world.