This week we begin our study of one of the most concise chapters in the Scriptures for revealing the calling and purpose of the church, Ephesians 4.
There is a pattern in Paul’s letters that is also followed in this one. The first part is usually a reminder of many general principles of the faith. Then he boldly declares the main purpose for the letter concisely and powerfully. He then finishes with encouragement.
Ephesians 4 is one of the most bold and powerful of all of his messages to the churches. We will begin with looking at verses 1-3:
Paul wrote this letter while he was a prisoner in Rome not long before his execution. It is noteworthy that he did not consider himself a prisoner of the Romans, but a prisoner of the Lord. Those who live by faith know that nothing can happen to them that the Lord does not allow for His own reasons. Therefore Paul accepted his situation as ordained by God. Living by this faith is the only way we will be able to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.
Those who walk in faith are always free even if they are in the strongest prison. Paul did not fear death because he died daily. He was already dead to this world, so there was really nothing that the world could do to him that could steal his true life. Those who walk in this manner, in the true faith of God, will be the most free, bold, resolute, joyful, humble, and gracious people who walk the earth. By his own admission Paul was more at home in the Spirit and with the Lord than he was in the body. So when they took his body, it meant little to him. When its time to go, that’s the way we should all be.
It is interesting that the way Paul encouraged the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, was to walk in humility, gentleness, showing patience and forbearance to one another in love. Christians should walk in a dignity and nobility which exceeds that of any earthly royalty. We are the children of the King of kings. If you have ever beheld someone of a truly noble spirit, these qualities will always be found. One who knows who they are, and knows they are doing the will of God, will have a strength and boldness that allows them to be humble, gentle, patient, and to show forbearance and love. Have you ever seen one who was impatient in a noble spirit?
Next, Paul charges his readers to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This is something that certainly requires diligence because the primary assault of the devil against the church is intended to cause divisions. The devil seems to understand better than most Christians that unity brings a multiplication of authority. As we are told in Deuteronomy 32:30, one can chase a thousand but two will put ten thousand to flight. The Lord said in Matthew 18:19, "... if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” The word that is translated “agree” here means a bit more than just intellectually assenting to a matter together, but even so, this reveals the potential power of unity. If we understand this, how can we not be most diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit?