Yesterday
we read in Ephesians 4:23-24
And…be renewed in the spirit of your
minds, and…put on the new self,
created after the likeness of God in true
righteousness and holiness.
We saw that
by the renewing in the spirit of our minds, we are able to do things which do
not come to us naturally. Returning to Ephesians 4:2-3, we find out how we can
achieve the unity to which Ephesians 4 calls us by means of living out HUMILITY,
GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, LOVE and PEACE.
HUMILITY
The first
step towards living together in unity is for each of us to become humble like
Jesus was humble. Humility was not something looked highly upon during the time
of Christ. The word here for humility is closely associated with a drooping
flower or someone who is in the act of cringing in fear. Christ tells us,
though, that he came to serve not to be served. Those who follow Him must also
serve others. It means to put other people’s interests above your own. Humility
is the basis of unity in the church.
GENTLENESS
One seeking
to live in unity with others must constantly show gentleness. Gentleness does
not mean weakness. Think of the example of a powerful horse. A horse is much
stronger than any person. Yet, we long ago learned how to tame horses by
placing a tiny bit in their mouths. With that bit, the horse comes under the
rider’s complete control and all of his strength is applied to some good
purpose. As our minds are renewed, it is God who takes control over us and
makes us gentle in spirit.
PATIENCE
Patience is
the virtue that allows us to persevere. The word used here for patience was
closely associated with the Roman army to mean “unconquerable.” The Romans
considered themselves the greatest in the world, able to withstand any
adversity. In the same way, godly patience gives us strength to face life’s
difficulties, setbacks, and problems. William Barclay says that “Christian
patience is the spirit which will not be broken by any misfortune or suffering,
by any disappointment or discouragement, but which persists to the end.”
LOVE
As Christians,
we are to love each other in the same way that Christ loved us. This type of
love goes above all emotions. This type of love does not consider what will be
given in return. This type of love ignores whatever wrongs have been committed.
It is the kind of love that has nothing but the absolute good in mind for the
other person.
PEACE
When Paul
talks about a bond of peace in verse 3, he is referring to getting ourselves
into right relationships. This means
that we have nothing wrong between each other that can cause us to be upset.
Christ offers us peace with God by giving us a right relationship with Him
showing us how to have the same sort of relationship with other people. He did
this through sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Here is the key to have a right
relationship with other people – self-sacrifice. When we die to ourselves and our lives begin
come under the control of the Lord, we will find incredible peace between us
and God and between us and other Christians.
Paul tells
us that these five things – humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace –
are the key to living together in unity.
Perhaps you don’t have
unity in your family. Perhaps your church has some disunity within it that you
could help to do something about. Consider what the Lord is speaking to you. Are there
areas in your life where you need to let go of personal pride and become more humble.
Do you
respond too harshly to circumstances?
Does the
Lord want to help you be gentle instead?
Where can
patience take root within your daily life?
Is there an
area where you could better demonstrate a type of love
that has nothing but the
interest of the other person at heart?
Do you want
peace with God?
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