Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:5c
In the portion of 4:1-6, the believers in Ephesus are being urged to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which they have been called. The apostle Paul clearly stated that this walk which must be worthy of the calling, must be done with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4:2-3). The appeal to walk in a manner worthy of the calling is united in the task that the apostle posted to the believers in Ephesus (and to us as well) to be united in the unity that the Spirit has created in the bond of peace. And so what’s being made clear, is that if a believer seeks to have a Christian walk that truly pleases God, then one must understand that it is impossible to accomplish it (walk in a manner worthy of the calling) apart from achieving unity with all the saints of the Lord Jesus Christ.
By far, we have seen how this holy duty is further solidified by the apostle’s further discussion which serves to be the foundation of this glorious task of keeping the unity in the bond of peace, created by the Holy Spirit. Again, these are declaratory and confessional statements that provide firm exhortation for unity: First, there is one body (v.4a); second, one Spirit (v.4b); third, one hope (v.4c); fourth, one Lord (v.5a); fifth, one faith (v.5a); and now, one baptism [sixth out of seven] (v.5c): “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism (vv.4-5c)”. Baptism has always been the public sign or declaration of an individual who has come to the faith. This means that when a person believes in the one Lord – Christ Jesus, the person will enter and follow the command or the sacrament of baptism. But the baptism here that the apostle is discussing is more than the understanding of the ritual. Yes, it speaks of the initiatory rite of water baptism, but it also speaks of the spiritual union with Christ that the rite symbolizes - Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). One baptism therefore speaks of the union with Christ and with all the saints that has been united in Christ.
Dear saint, since you have been baptized into the Lord, which means being baptized into His death, please keep in mind that the life that you have now is to be lived for Christ Jesus! This is to acclaim with the apostle and echo the truth and the must reality that we have - I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). This is to say that you must have no room or any provision for the old self which gives no esteem, value, and honor to the unity with which the Spirit has created in the bond of peace. If Christ is the one who lives in you, dear saint, then striving for unity with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love is for sure to be accomplished because of the strength of the grace of God in Christ Jesus that we richly possess. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Dear saint, always remember that the one baptism that you have with all the saints of the Lord means that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Now therefore, do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. Strive and promote for the unity in the Lord with all the brethren!
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Are you living a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called to as a believer of the Lord?
2. Is your life marked by eagerness to maintain unity and peace with your brothers and sisters in the Lord?
3. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in heaven, I come before You in the name of Your Son, in prayer, to thank You once more, for it is You who is keeping me for Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for uniting me with Him, and in Him I am united with all Your children whom You cherished as how You cherished Your only begotten Son. Father, in my oneness with Him, and all Your children, I ask that this glorious truth be the continues source of motivation for me to aim more for unity. That I may truly own a walk worthy of the calling to which I have been called. And may Your mercy, goodness and faithfulness help me to accomplish this with all humility and gentleness, with patience, and to bear with love for my brothers and sisters. I ask this Father, all for the glory of Your Son in whose name I pray. Amen.
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