Bible Study - Connect (2) - Connect in Unity - Ephesians 4:1-6 - September 14, 2014

Bible Study – Connect (2) – Connect in Unity – September 14, 2014

This is lesson two in our series of study entitled “Connected: My Life in the Church.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 4:1-6.

Unity is one thing but staying unified takes work according to the will and purpose of GOD.

Ephesians Chapters 1-3 focus on doctrine. Chapters 4-6, Paul focuses, for the most part, upon the application of the doctrine. What Christians believe is reflected in what they do.

We saw in last week’s study that salvation is for all who will place their faith in CHRIST. Those who place their faith in CHRIST are redeemed from sin and eternal death by the shed blood of CHRIST. GOD declares the person who places his or her faith in CHRIST as righteous. Since the Christian is righteous, the Holy Spirit can indwell that person’s body and is part of the miracle of rebirth. Rebirth results in that person being made into a new creation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of the mind, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22-24:

22 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

And in Romans 12:2:

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

And in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

When we have not seen our grandchildren for a few weeks, we are amazed how much they have grown physically. Often, they are placing marks on a wall or a door to reveal how much they have grown. How do we measure our Spiritual growth? Is unity one measure?

Let’s explore!

As stated in our first lesson, the Apostle Paul was in prison, likely in Rome. Paul had been in prison before and GOD had miraculously delivered him quickly. This time, he remained in prison not because the legal system trumped GOD but because GOD chose for him to be there. Paul was a prisoner “of the LORD” and he was content in that situation because he knew GOD had a plan and purpose for his life at that time.

We know that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians while in prison. Christians then and now benefit from his writings. Did GOD allow Paul to be in prison and write to reveal to Christians what HE had revealed to Paul? Only eternity will reveal some of the why’s in life. Paul saw his being in prison as a calling. He was practicing what he was writing about. He urged fellow Christians to walk “worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,”

The word “walk” relates to lifestyle and attitude. Christians are not to be arrogant. They represent GOD to others and in doing so, they are accountable to HIM and how they treat others. GOD has forgiven them and called them to obedient service according to HIS plan and purpose.

We need to keep in mind that Paul did not write in chapters and verses. The verses in Chapter 4: 1-6, in Greek, is one sentence.  

Let’s read Ephesians 4:1-2:

1 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to • walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,

“Therefore” is a word which ties together what was stated in the doctrine chapters with the application chapters.

The word “urge” is a beautiful word. The two Greek words which create the English word “urge” mean “along side of” and “call.” When translated it means to be “called along side of.” Paul tied “urge” to “walk” or “lifestyle” with the calling Christians receive at the instant of salvation. Salvation is a partnership with GOD through our relationship with CHRIST. Christians are to yield their will and lives to GOD by coming “along side of HIM” to accomplish HIS will and purpose through them.

When I think about “along side of” I think of Christians being in step with GOD as HE leads and directs their lives. As we walk with GOD, through relationship, we realize that our worthiness to walk with HIM is due solely to our relationship with CHRIST, through faith in HIM. There is nothing we could have done or do in our own strength or goodness to achieve salvation.

Such a realization and dependence is beyond our capability. This reality results in humility which in turn produces gentleness. We realize the patience and love it took for GOD to wait for us to accept HIS invitation of salvation. This realization, in turn, extends from us to others as we wait for GOD to complete HIS work in their lives. GOD calls all Christians to yield their will to HIM such that HE can mold them into the image of CHRIST. This is the process of sanctification, which produces humility and humility in turn produces gentleness.

GOD is patient with us as we are shaped into the image of CHRIST. GOD’S agape love for us prepares us not to give up on those who struggle with the things we have under control in our lives – food, lack of exercise and other addictions.

Christians are to walk carefully along side of GOD realizing that any of us can find ourselves in difficult circumstances and sin if we yield to the desires of the flesh.

Humility and gentleness comes from knowing GOD and trusting that HE is in control of all circumstances. Keep in mind that Christians can find themselves in circumstances as the result of their actions.

GOD calls to obediently serve HIM. Even when Christians obediently serve, circumstances may be very difficult but GOD has placed them in these circumstances for a variety of reasons – for our Spiritual development, to help others and the list goes on.

Accepting one another in love is based upon the realization that all Christians are sinners saved by grace. Patience is an attribute which results from the sanctification process. GOD teaches HIS children to wait upon HIM. We wait because we trust HIM and are confident that HE is in control and working to bring about HIS will, plan and purpose.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:3:

3 diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.

Unity is one thing but keeping the unity takes work, thus Paul used the word “diligent.” Unity has value and is worth keeping. The word “keeping” carries the idea of a continuing effort.

Here, we have to be careful because we need discernment. In my opinion, it is not keeping unity at the cost of Biblical doctrine. That is why Christians must be filled with, controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.

It is important that we, as humans, do not let our flesh guide our decisions. There is often a very fine line between those who are guided by the Holy Spirit and those who think they are guided by the Holy Spirit. Does our involvement in an issue lead to peace and unity that binds Christians together?

The peace that passes all understanding comes from GOD to Christians through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:7:

7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Amplified)

The peace that comes from GOD binds in unity.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:4-6:

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.

Unity with CHRIST results in oneness with GOD, CHRIST, the Holy Spirit and true Christians. There is a witness of a Christian’s Spirit with GOD and true Christians as reflected in Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Salvation results in the rebirth of the human spirit which in turn produces GOD’S children. Christians are family because they all have the same Father. As such, they are bonded together by the same Spirit and to GOD, through faith in CHRIST.

In the Greek, verses 1-6 are one long sentence, as mentioned earlier. Verses 4-6 read like a statement of faith or credo, which means “I believe.”

Notice that Paul used seven one’s in these three verses. He began verse 4 with “there is.” In Greek, there is no verb but the use of a verb helps readers to understand the term. The term “we belong to” could have been used, as well.

It is exciting to see how the Holy Spirit led Paul to reveal the source of Christian unity, GOD. The source of Christian unity is GOD through faith in CHRIST and knitted together by the Holy Spirit. CHRIST is the way to GOD. The Jews worshipped GOD. Since the passion of CHRIST, there is a clear, certain path to GOD. Faith in JESUS is the only way to GOD for all people. The ground at the foot of the cross is level, meaning all, regardless of wealth, position in life, race, social standing, good deeds and the list goes on, every human comes to GOD through faith in CHRIST.

To the Jews, the number seven represented completeness. When we consider all seven statements it reveals completeness in GOD, CHRIST and the Holy Spirit. Trinity is a contraction of “tri unity” thus Trinity, the three are One.

There is: [The first triad – one body, one Spirit, one hope. The second triad –one LORD, one faith, one baptism. One triune GOD – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.]

-         One body: The foundation for one Spiritual living body, the living church, is CHRIST. CHRIST gave HIS body/earthly life through the shedding of HIS blood to pay, in full, the penalty for sin for all who place their faith in HIM. Faith in CHRIST means receiving salvation from sin and eternal death. When a person receives salvation he or she receives eternal life, rebirth, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, citizenship in heaven and so much more. The miracle of rebirth is brought about through the union of GOD’S Spirit with the human spirit. The result is referred to as rebirth or being born-again in a person’s spirit. CHRIST in you is what makes you a Christian. At the instant of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes into the Christian’s life and confirms the miracle of rebirth. CHRIST unifies both the Jews and the Gentiles who place their faith in CHRIST because CHRIST was GOD in the flesh and HE is the only way to GOD.

-         One Spirit: Since all Christians are born into the family of GOD by the same Spirit or divine sperm, they are all in unity with GOD and fellow Christians. GOD gives Christians the Holy Spirit to indwell them to confirm their faith and to lead, guide, empower, gift, teach, warn, instruct, enlighten, assure and communicate with HIS children. The Holy Spirit helps Christians build an intimate, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. The Holy Spirit is the first installment or guarantee of a Christian’s inheritance yet to be fully realized through faithful living and ultimately at the instant of our physical death. To be absent from the body is to be in the presence of our LORD. Several scripture references focus on the guarantee and security deposit – 2 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 4:30.

-         [Called: Paul used the word “called.” First, GOD calls all people to salvation through faith in CHRIST. Once people accept HIS call of salvation, HE calls HIS children to obediently serve HIM as directed by the Holy Spirit. HE calls some to be pastors, teachers, deacons and into various vocations. When HE calls, HE also gifts and equips. Salvation is available to all. GOD does not discriminate.]

-         One hope: Hope can imply a certain degree of uncertainty but this is not the intent in the use of the word “hope.” Hope can be translated as “confidence.” The confidence or assurance of our faith in CHRIST is confirmed by the resurrection of JESUS and the indwelling Holy Spirit. I always wanted the assurance before I took the step of faith but it does not work that way. Those seeking CHRIST must take the step of faith and then the Holy Spirit will confirm their new relationship in CHRIST.

-         One LORD: The Jews worshipped the One True GOD before CHRIST came to earth in the flesh. The passion of CHRIST, the promised Messiah, established the new covenant of faith in CHRIST by HIS shed blood. Christians worship the same One True GOD who Abraham worshipped and was declared righteous because of his faith in GOD. One LORD is CHRIST.

-         One faith: It is faith that is the common bond between the Old and New Testaments. The shedding of the blood of certain animals was symbolic and a place holder for the day when the promised Messiah would shed HIS blood for the final and permanent remission of sin and conquer eternal death.

-         One baptism: Baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality. In the Baptist Church, we baptize by immersion in water. It is symbolic of dying to our old life before we accepted CHRIST as our Savior and being resurrected to walk in our new life in CHRIST. Some denominations believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism reveals that a person is not ashamed to be identified as a Christian and a follower of CHRIST. It is an act of obedience. Baptism reflects the oneness of all who place their faith in CHRIST. Keep in mind that JESUS was baptized.

-         One GOD and Father of all: The source of salvation and unity is GOD and HE unifies all who place their faith in CHRIST.

-         Who is above all: Indicates HIS position of power and authority. Omnipotent.

-         And through all: GOD is all knowing. Omniscience.

-         And in all: GOD is involved in all matters. Omnipresent.

When taken as a whole, faith in CHRIST results in unity with GOD and fellow Christians.

Scripture ascribes election to GOD, The Father, salvation to JESUS, the Son and sanctification to The Holy Spirit. The three are in complete unity and function as ONE. GOD calls all to salvation, CHRIST gave HIS life for all who will place their faith in HIM and the Holy Spirit indwells all who place their faith in JESUS.

We as Christians need to get back to the basics of building unity with each other based upon GOD’S leadership and HIS Word and not social acceptance or being politically correct. CHRIST in us is the hope of glory. Love the sinner but hate the sin. Blessings!!!