Christ Unites People Ephesians 4

In last week’s article we discussed how Christ divides people. There are some people that will reject Christ and at the same time there are other people that will accept Him. In this week’s article we will discuss how Christ unites people. This is a very import topic because the church members come from diverse backgrounds. In our culture there is an emphasis on diversity. We want people from diverse backgrounds. As a result we seek ways to have unity among people that are very different. In this article we will use Ephesians 4 as a reference. Paul writes to a diverse group of people, and he calls them to unity. This space will not allow a full discussion of all the things that Paul says in this chapter. We will pull out a few things hoping that this will get us started on how the church can be united as one with a diverse group of people.

The first thing that Paul says to the church at Ephesus is that the members of the church individually and as a whole must have the same objective. Paul says that we must have the right objective in mind. “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1, NASB). Although the church is made up of a diverse people they all are called for the same purpose. This diverse people must have the right attitude toward each other. Each person must approach others “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (vv. 2-3, NASB). Paul is saying that we must develop and utilize appropriate character traits. Our character should guide us more than our culture and our personal preferences. When we accept Jesus as our savior He gives us peace with God. Our peace with God is the first thing that unites us.

Since we all have peace with God we are one with God. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and all” (vv. 4-6, NASB). The church is one body because every member in the body is saved by the one God. It is the Father that calls the church into being. People talk about peace, compromise and cooperation. We hear terms like negotiation, cooperation, coming together for a common purpose. People cannot bring about a lasting peace because there is no one authority to determine what each person or group of people must do. Each person and group of people has their own authority, values, and interest. People negotiate and compromise, but they are rarely satisfied with what they have to give up so that they can gain something else. Often, people feel robbed and cheated. They feel like they have received the short end of the stick.

In Christ Jesus we are called by God to voluntarily give up something to gain something better (Isa. 51:2). In the church the members have the same goal. There are diversities of gifts given to members in the body. These gifts are not inherent in the individual person or in some group of people. Rather, it is the Spirit that gives gifts to the church through individual persons with certain positions. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelist, and some as pastors and teachers” (v. 11). These all work together for the same objective: “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (vv. 12-13, NASB).

Mike Vrabel, head coach of the Tennessee Titans football team helps us to understand what Paul is saying in verses 11-13. Coach Vrabel often talks about the team playing “complimentary football.” He means that every unit of the team must compliment the other units of the team. The basic units are the offense, the defense, and the special teams. Vrabel believes that each unit must perform in a manner that supports the other units in their basic assigned responsibilities. The defense tries to get the offense the ball in a desirable position on the field so that it is easier for the offense to score points. The offense tries to score points and at least leave the defense in a desirable position on the field that enables it to prevent the other team from scoring. The special teams try to get the ball in a desirable position on the field that will help the offense or the defense to do their job. All units are equally important. All have the same goal in mind. The Titans will score more points than their opponent, thus winning the game.

Paul next points out that each individual person must do their part so that Christ unites us. Paul writes, “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects unto Him who is the head, even Christ” (v. 14, NASB). Paul is saying that there are no negotiations. There are no compromises. It is not a matter of finding a settlement. It is not a matter of what is good for one member and what is bad for another member. Everyone is most benefited when the whole body rejects the various philosophies, opinions, and theories that are promoted in the world. These must all be rejected because Christ is the head of the body. The church must not be deceived by the religious scam artists that exist in the world.

The church is made up of diverse individuals. Each individual is equally important. The church needs each member. Christ is the head “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (v. 16, NASB). Again, coach Vrabel helps us when he talks about every member on the team. He says that every member of the team is coached up to be the best that they can be. Every member is needed. Every member must be ready to perform at a high level. Coach Vrabel is not afraid to call upon a substitute player because he believes that every player is prepared to do their job whenever they are called upon. Are we preparing every member in our church to participate in the ministries of the church?

In verses 17-32 Paul tells us that each member must give up their old self and put on the new self that comes from being united with Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. In Christ there are no negotiations and compromises. Jesus is Lord and we must conform to His way and His truth. We must talk to one another as Christ talks to us. Our hearts must be pure as Christ is pure. We have the same attitude toward each other that Christ has for each of us. We must allow the Holy Spirit to rule our lives. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another; tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (vv. 30-32, NASB).

Christ unites people that have accepted Him as Savior and Lord. He brings us peace with God and with one another. Jesus does not favor certain people above others. His truth and His ways are given to each person. Those that submit to His authority and are guided by the Holy Spirit are united together in one body in which Christ is the head of the body.