*Ephesians 4:1-16
Paul calls believers to live in unity with one another, emphasizing humility, love, and spiritual gifts that contribute to the growth of the body of Christ.
- Call to Unity and Humility:
- Paul urges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling with complete humility, gentleness, and patience.
- He emphasizes the importance of bearing with one another in love and maintaining the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
- One Body, One Spirit:
- The text reinforces that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.
- Gifts from Christ:
- Christ has given gifts to his people, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
- These gifts are for the purpose of equipping believers for works of service, to build up the body of Christ.
- Goal of Spiritual Maturity:
- The aim is for all believers to reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature and attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
- This maturity helps believers to no longer be infants in faith, tossed back and forth by cunning and crafty schemes of deceit.
- Speaking Truth in Love:
- Believers are encouraged to speak the truth in love, growing in every way to become more like Christ, who is the head of the body, the church.
- Through Christ, the whole body is joined and held together, with each part working properly, which promotes the growth of the body in love.