Ephesians 4:1-6  …continued

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-  If any faction of the body declares that everyone else is wrong, that they are the only ones that have it right, you can pretty much be certain that it is a cult. The humility that we are exhorted to exhibit says that we might be wrong about the non-essentials. If the other point of view uses Scripture, then we must consider the possibility that we might be wrong.

About the work and nature of Christ there is no compromise, but in all the peripheral issues, let us allow for differences of opinion and interpretation. We may choose to worship with those that have a similar understanding of Scripture, but we should never speak against others who hold to the essentials that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. If they believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, we are of one body and Spirit with them. We are called to the same hope, which is our sanctification, and to eternity together as the bride of Christ.

By all means we should have our own convictions from the word of God and be ready to share them, but never let us set aside the humility and gentleness with which we are to do so. (1Timothy 6:11[notes1] ) Those in Christ with whom we find differences of opinion are a part of the same body and share in the same Spirit. We may wonder why they come to such strange conclusions, but remember, they probably wonder the same thing about us.

There is only ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Here is the core issue. Is Jesus Lord? Is salvation by faith in Him alone? Is there but one baptism, dying with Christ and being raised to new life in Him? (Romans 6:4[notes2] ) If we have the same Lord, the same essential faith, and have died with Christ and been raised with Him, then we are one body.

A couple from our church attended the night of worship recently in Prescott. He was moved by what he witnessed, just simple praise and worship with short to the point messages. Their key element was easy to state, “No other name than the name of Jesus”! No church names, pastors’ names, or musicians’ names were mentioned. The only name on the lips of those who led in worship that night was the name of Jesus. That was the secret. There is where we find our unity.

Ephesians 4:1-6 … continued

…bearing with one another in love, Because we are all works in progress and none of us have arrived, others must bear with us as God molds and shapes us, therefore we must bear with one another. Some people can be really irritating. Anyone can be really irritating. Some grow spiritually more slowly than others. Some have hurdles to overcome because weaknesses or even because of the sin of others. Some are sure they have arrived and can tell everyone what they should do. However, none of us walk on water. Throughout this life, we will have to bear with one another in love. We are a family, and we need the patient encouragement of one another to endure together in this process of sanctification.

Many of us have seen the devastating effects in churches that have not humbly submitted to these instructions. Factions form and churches split and the name of Christ is dragged through the mud simply for the sake of prideful ego. (Proverbs 11:2[notes1] ) But when we bear with one another in loving humility and patience, the name of Jesus is exalted.

We bear with one another because we want others to bear with us, to honor the name of Christ, and also because we are ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. As a body of believers, we don’t need fractures. Fractures hurt the whole body. A building with a great crack can be unsafe for those around it, and we are God’s building. (1Corinthians 3:9[notes2] ) We need to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. If it is by love for one another that the world comes to belief, what does a lack of unity and peace produce? (John 13:35[notes3] ) Let us be eager to maintain unity for the testimony of Jesus in our city.

This city is like most in that the testimony of the church in this regard has for decades been very poor. One faction after another has split church after church, all the while ignoring Paul’s urgent request in this passage. Every time there is threat to the unity of the church we should read over this passage and ask ourselves if we are willing to submit to this exhortation. The issues causing division are rarely worth the effects of division. The only time it is truly justified is when one faction is rejecting the following verses. …continued