This morning we looked at the blessing of unity (Eph 4:1-6) and discovered that this is a great blessing (Ps 133:1-3) but is also something which requires effort and perseverance on our part (Eph 4:3). Unity is crucial because God is one (Deut 6:4) and because it is a witness to God’s nature (John 17:11, 21) and to His perfect love. However, if we are to be united to people who are vastly different to us, we need to follow the example of Jesus in being completely humble, gentle, patient and kind and in bearing with each other in love. (Eph 4:32)
Be Completely Humble
Humility and gentleness are spiritual fruit which the world does not value. Jesus spoke about this in Matt 11:28-30 and gave the disciples a practical example of this when He washed their feet. (John 13:1-5) We have to learn to serve as He did (Matt 26:25-28) if we are to be like Him.
Be Patient
Patience is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and is a sign of maturity. Unlike the toddler who throws a tantrum every time it is defied or has to wait for something, patience is learned through the trials of life (James 1:2-4) We are all individuals in the church, but God has placed us together in His body (1 Cor 12:18-20) and we all have a function. Learning patience with one another celebrates the diversity in the body and reflects God’s love for each one of us.
Bearing With One Another In Love
Ironside paraphrased this verse, ‘lovingly putting up with all that is disagreeable in other people.’ Often, we want to change people and try to do this through nagging (see Prov 21:19), but God calls us to accept others as they are and to love them despite their faults and mistakes. God wants us to act towards each other: with kindness, with compassion, with forgiveness, bearing with one another in love, not just with a sigh and a rolling of the eyes and a grumbling heart and grudging acceptance, but with a lavishness and expansive love which simply goes on loving. The Message version of Eph 4:3 says ‘not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.’ We are called to take in God’s love, compassion and forgiveness and then pour those things out to other people. Love has to be evident: ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13:34-35) When we love each other, we can live like family and be sure that God will bless us with the unity that comes from His divine love.