Unity of Purpose
Ephesians 4:1 – 16
If there is one defining characteristic of the world in which we live today it would have to be best described by the word “disunity”. We see it in almost every aspect of our society and world today. We know the signs, we see the examples right in front of us on the TV, on the radio, in the newspapers, on the internet. It is everywhere, overwhelming, destructive and insipid.
In many ways it is destroying the moral fabric of our culture, tearing apart relationships between family members and longtime friends because folks have come to insist that their opinions are more important than those of others. Long held beliefs of some are sacrificed on the altar of new ways of thinking and populism.
We see disunity in our politics, they oppose each other just because. They resist and obstruct each other simply because one has power and control and the other craves it. They obstruct on shear principal, not even listening and trying to find common ground but instead calling each other vile and disrespectful names in order to try and get an upper-hand or political gain. Power is intoxicating and addictive. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power seeks control over all things, including God.
We see disunity between races, white vs black vs brown vs red vs yellow. We see the influence of the Evil One sowing seeds of hate and distrust between the races, to divide and conquer.
These are just a few examples of the disunity that are prevalent in our culture, societies and world. It is not the least bit surprising considering the secular influence of our world. As humans we are broken and flawed souls that can be influenced by our sinful and wanton natures.
Secular man has always fallen afoul of our most carnal desires that have led us into destructive patterns and actions time and time again throughout history. Wars have killed hundreds of millions over relatively minor disagreements and over disunity over basic respect for other people.
In fact it is that very tendency toward aggressive, destructive actions and behavior that will ultimately lead to the reappearance of Jesus and the beginning of his reign of the new heaven and new earth found in Revelations 21. Worldly man is corrupted in disunity. But as Christians, those that have been called into one faith in Christ, we are called to be different!
Our lesson today is about the unity that is provided to believers by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the souls of the believers. Together, we are being built into a holy temple or dwelling place of God in the Spirit and we are called through our Unity of Purpose to build up Christ’s body, the church universal.
Paul’s insight into the mystery of Christ was that we Gentiles now are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Consequently, while it is expected and unsurprising that there is, has been and always will be a lack of unity that is disunity among worldly man, Christians are called to be different, unity among Christians is a big deal! We see Paul literally begging the Ephesians to live worthy of that Unity of Purpose:
I therefore beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1,3 NRSV)
The unity of which Paul wrote is not one which the Christian needs to create, but one which already exists and must be diligently preserved. This Unity of Purpose is based upon our sharing life in one body, the universal church, the body of Christ. All Christians are sealed, possessed, and indwelt by the same Spirit and look forward to the same hope.
Unity, although it cannot be created by the Christian, it must be preserved by him and fortunately Paul identifies the characteristics that we need to preserve Christian unity. In verse 2 Paul tells us that we need to live a life worthy of our call to be one in Christ, unified around our singular purpose. We can achieve Unity of Purpose through:
all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
We need Humility which is literally, “lowliness of mind.” It is, of course, the opposite of pride, which is at the root of every sin. Humility is the recognition that all that we are and have are due to God’s grace. Humility means being Christ-sufficient, not self-sufficient, and self-centered. The proud person trusts in himself. He thinks that he can do it. The humble Christian trusts that Jesus can do it through them. By ourselves we are likely to fail. Humility.
Next we need Gentleness. The King James Bible translates gentleness as meekness, which we often associate with weakness, but the meaning of this word is “strength under control.” Picture a large man swaddling a baby, vastly more powerful yet restrained. Picture a tame horse, it is a powerful beast, but it is completely obedient to the tug of the master on the reins.
It is significant that Jesus used both humility and gentleness to describe Himself (Matt. 11:29): “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Gentleness.
We need Patience which in this case the word literally means, “long-tempered.” It is the opposite of a person with a short fuse. Patience is the first-listed quality of love in 1 Cor. 13:4: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant.” To maintain Unity of Purpose, we must be patient with one another.
We need Forbearance with each other. The Bible spells out absolute standards of right and wrong and calls on us to lovingly to confront or correct those who persist in evil or serious doctrinal error. Forbearance in connection with patience allows us to bear with those that stray from God’s expectations, while we work to help them see the truth that the scriptures hold for each of us.
Finally and most importantly Paul tells us to maintain unity we need Love. We should not simply tolerate those that are different than us but rather we should show genuine Christian love for them. Love seeks the highest good of the other person.
Love also prevents tolerance from becoming indifference. If you see someone doing something that will lead to spiritual harm, love cares enough to try to help them. Forbearance means that you wait and pray for the right time, but love motivates you to get involved if the other person will let you.
Paul tells us that when we are redeemed and reconciled through Christ, we have oneness with God and with others, a oneness that includes one body and one Spirit, one hope found in your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
Please understand that unity does not mean that we all think exactly the same thing about the needs of the world around us, the set of fruits of the Spirit that are given individually and uniquely to us drive our particular passion to serve others and we should embrace those passions within our group of like-minded souls.
To every individual within the body of Christ is given a particular capacity for ministry. This capacity (or capacities) is commonly called a ‘spiritual gift.’ Although the particular function involved may not appear to be particularly ‘spiritual,’ the outcome is spiritual benefit to the body of Christ.
The gifts and talents that have been given specifically to me are not the same as those that are given to you. You are better at things and in ways that I simply cannot comprehend. That friends, is the divine inspiration that is found in unity in the church body.
Hear the Good News my friends…….
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, told the world this, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” As Christians we are to protect Unity of Purpose, the growing of the Church Universal by bringing all peoples together through the essentials of our faith; one body, one Spirit, one hope found in your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
For the Body of Christ, the mission and needs remain the same, finding lost souls and bringing them into alignment with the reconciling and redeeming example of Christ. There are different ways to reach into dark places filled with broken souls and bring them into the truth and light found our compassionate and loving Father and we should go to all though places, through all means needed.
But fulfilling those tasks and reaching for that goal should not be allowed to diminish or destroy the unity of believers for which Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to create. We are bound to Him and to each other through that sacrifice. Together, we are being built into a holy temple or dwelling place of God in the Spirit and we are called through our Unity of Purpose to build up Christ’s body, the church universal.
The Evil one seeks to sperate and conquer but as Christians we are different, we have the “ones” to help us preserve Unity of Purpose, one body, one Spirit, one hope found in your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Amen.