In our Sunday morning small group study we are in the book of Ephesians and the focus of the study is our identity in Christ. The first three chapters of Ephesians show us who we are in Christ and the last three chapters show us what our response should be to that. Paul, inspired by God, begins chapter 4 by calling on Christians to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received (4:1). In other words, live a life consistent with your identity in Christ. Ephesians 4:2 lists some character traits we must be practicing in order to walk worthy.
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. In order to walk worthy of our calling we must be practicing these 4 things. We aren’t perfect in doing them, we all slip up from time to time, but we are practicing them. Paul continues by stating in verse 3: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. The context of Ephesians 4:1-6 is unity in the Body.
We cannot have unity if we are not practicing humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another. But there also must be a foundation for our unity and that is what verses 4-6 are all about. Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) 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. Paul, inspired by God, lists seven absolute truths that true Christians are to be unified in. These seven truths are the foundation for our unity. These seven truths are not disputable matters (Romans 14:1) but are central to our faith in Christ.
So far in our study we have looked at the first five and this week we will focus on the 6th of these absolute truths that we are to be united in: one baptism.