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“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.”
Ephesians 4:1-6
xINTRODUCTION
Paul has spent the first three chapters of Ephesians establishing a doctrinal foundation and as he transitions into Chapter 4, he shifts to discussing the need for promoting unity in the body of Christ that was established by Christ. Specifically, Paul had spent time discussing the unity between Jews & Gentiles and how Christ had established it. He transitions into not just explaining that unity exists, but how we can live & walk in unity.
Father, thank You for giving us fellowship and community. Help us to build up our brothers and sisters so that we can display the kingdom of heaven while we are here on earth. May we walk in unity. xAMEN
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How does knowing that you have a calling on your life impact the manner in which you live?
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In what way do the 3 characteristics Paul gives us in verse 2 impact unity amongst Christians?
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What is the key component to being in unity with others?
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Who is over all & in all? (see vs 4-6)
As Christians, we all have a high-calling (gifting) on our lives from God, and we are to live in a manner that is worthy of our calling.
- Worthy here means “equal weight” so the way we live should be balanced or equal with our calling.
- Ask God what in your life does not match up to the calling He has for you. Repent of it & ask Him for the wisdom to replace it.
For us to walk in gentleness, we have to have our emotions under control.
- It doesn’t mean we don’t get angry or have moments of weakness, rather it means we are controlled by God & know when to be angry and when not to be.
- Controlling our emotions only happens through renewing our heart & mind through His Word.
We get to gentleness through love for one another & knowledge of the peace that Christ established unity through.
Gentleness, when combined with humility & patience, is the recipe that promotes unity in the body of believers.
- Write down 2 ways that you can express humility, gentleness, & patience?