Paul is reminding his readers that they have been called by God to Himself through Jesus and in view of that to live a life that is worthy of that calling.

Eph. 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The type of lifestyle Paul is describing is one of love. It is about being humble, gentle, being patient with each other and bearing with one another in love. It’s about getting along with others. He probably still has the two groups of Christians in mind here – the Jewish people who have come to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah and the gentiles who have come to faith in Jesus. He does remind us though that this ‘unity of the Spirit’ which works itself out in getting along with each other does require effort.

There were marked differences between the Jewish and gentile believers in Paul’s day. But I’m sure we can identify differences within the church today between different groups of believers. But it is good to be reminded as Paul does here that despite there being different groups within the church there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Sometimes I feel very different from others in the church. It is good to know that despite the differences we display you bring us together as one people and it is comforting to know that you are over all of us, through all of us and in all of us. Amen.

A song to listen to:  Bind Us Together by Sound of Worship

Tim Hewlett

Living Church – Creek Road