As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 NIV
We all want to live a life that pleases the Lord, right? But how do we do that? In Ephesians 4, Paul gives us some clues.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
A life well lived is one that maintains good relationships with others. Pulling that off requires humility, gentleness, patience and love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 NIV
God desires all believers to live in peace with one another. He places high value on unity. We’re all very different but together we form the body of Christ. And there’s just one body. We like to divide and section off according to our differences, but God looks down on all believers and sees just one church.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:5-6 NIV
We all have the same Redeemer, the same hope and the same Father. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, members of the same family! If we’re being honest, no one deserves a seat at the dinner table. We have all fallen short; we’re all adopted into this family because the Father loves us! What’s the one family trait we all share? We’ve all received the same grace!
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7 NIV
So what’s it going to take to maintain unity and to live a a life worthy of the calling we have received? It starts with a new attitude, one which reflects God’s righteousness and holiness.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Unity requires a new mindset, one that encompasses honesty, self-control, and a sense of responsibility for the well being of others.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
When conflict arises, we owe it to each other to express our frustrations honestly and respectfully, not allowing resentment to build, but rather facing issues head-on. Unresolved anger gives Satan an opportunity to damage our relationships and hinders our unity.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:25-28 NIV
Our attitude must not be one of isolation, each man looking out for his immediate family only. Instead, we should consider the larger family of God, working hard so that we may have something to share with those in need. That’s a mindset that pleases God and contributes to the unity he so highly values.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
We could write volumes on the power of our words to tear down and build up! I think it’s safe to say that nothing influences unity more than our choice of words. We are called to evaluate the needs of every situation and respond by speaking words that encourage and make others stronger! A person who masters the art of saying the right thing at just the right time is a blessing in any situation! If we are to live a life worthy of the calling which God has given us, we must strive to control what comes out of our mouths!
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV
Respond to others not how they respond to you, but how Christ responds to you. Let Him be the standard. He sets the bar high! The same measure of kindness and love He offers us, we must in turn offer others. They don’t need to deserve forgiveness to receive it. Their acknowledgement of wrong doing should never be the deciding factor. Just as Christ forgives us, so we too must offer grace to those who need our forgiveness. There is no place in the Christian life for bitterness, rage, brawling, slander or revenge. In fact, Paul tells us, such things actually grieve the heart of God!
Let us consider Paul’s advice in Ephesians 4 and strive today to live a life worthy of the calling we have received!