--> “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
––Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 4:1-16 is the paramount text on the “called out
ones” (ecclesia). It is the Magna Carta of the
Church. It begins and ends with unity, which is
not the same as uniformity. In fact, unity amid
great diversity is God’s desired intent. He loves diversity, but He also loves
unity. This requires a common commitment to humility.
The off-ramp that leads to Unityville is neither “doctrine” nor “agreement.”
It’s humility. It is amazing how often we try to make adherence to doctrine the
glue that binds us together, yet the result is always division over minutia.
Our glue is not a creed or statement of faith, but a common humbling of
ourselves.
Two humble people may not always agree, but if they are
truly walking in humility, they will always get along, despite their
differences. When each is more concerned for the betterment of the other, the
two will live in harmony and achieve unity. When everyone strives to bless
others, everyone is blessed.
Paul challenges us to live with humility, gentleness,
patience, and tolerance. These are the qualities that lead to unity amid
diversity. Notice what is not on the list:
agreement over doctrine, common practice, church models, heritage, culture, or
style.
Paul says we are to diligently guard the unity that is ours
because of the same Holy Spirit that dwells within us. This is not always easy;
in fact, it’s hard work. Markus Barth, in commenting on the verb being diligent says:
It is hardly possible to render exactly the urgency contained
in the underlying Greek verb. Not only haste and passion, but a full effort of
the whole man is meant, involving his will, sentiment, reason, physical
strength, and total attitude.[i]
If we ever hope to attain to the “unity of the Spirit” that
we are meant for, we must start from a place of humble submission to one
another—especially with those who are different from us. Unity in diversity is
a beautiful goal that we must press toward with all haste and urgency. It
requires that we daily lift the interests of our brothers and sisters above our
own.
This post is taken from my new book Primal Fire.
[i]
Markus Barth, Ephesians 4–6: A New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary (The Anchor Bible), (New York: Doubleday,
1974), 428.
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