Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:5a
It is always worthy of repetition [to mention] that keeping unity in the bond of peace is not just the responsibility of each believer, but is necessary to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which all genuine Christians are called to. The apostle Paul urges the believers in Ephesus (and to us as well) that this must be done with all humility and gentleness, with patience, and bearing with one another in love. So 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. Again, these are declaratory and confessional statements that provides firm exhortation for unity: First, there is one body (v.4a); second, one Spirit (v.4b); third, one hope (v.4c), and now we discuss the fourth (out of seven) – one Lord (v.5a).
Again, the apostle Paul puts it this way: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord (vv.4-5a)”. The eternal Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who by right is the Lord of all. He is not just the Lord of the Church [universal], but all of creation. It must be noted that there is one Lord alone. This title is well-known to be accredited only to the God of Israel – YHWH. Here, we see that the apostle (and together with the rest as well) gives this as honor to the Son of God who by right has earned this title, and is given and rewarded by the Father when Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It was the Father’s zeal to bestow to His only Son [to be] the Lord of all, for He [Christ] has done, completed, and perfected what all of us have fail to accomplish – to be faithful in the covenant. And this exalted title of the Son of God came through His humility (even to the point of death on a cross), which is the standard of all Christians.
Dear saint, see and behold this earned and deserving title by Christ, and let this be your drive in promoting unity among and together with the believers! For there is no better way of promoting unity than by being reminded that you and all the genuine Christians have the same Lord, who is now your Owner, by right of redemption; your Husband, by right of marriage; your King, by right of rulership; your Master, by right of ownership. May the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted, as we all grow into unity, dear saint! Be united in the anthem, together with all the saints from the past to the present, and even the heavenly hosts, O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. There is no better place than to be in the Lordship of the Son of God, dear saint! For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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, to praise and thank You for bringing me near to Him, for I know no one can come to Him unless You, Father, draws him. Father, I humbly ask, that You create in me a heart that glories in Your passion – the Lordship of Your Son. May this propel me to have excitement to be united with all His servants, and may this compel me to eagerly aim to be one with the body, as our only Lord, who is the Head. Father, I ask, to learn the humility that Your Son modeled, that as I continue to submit to His Lordship, I may be united with His bride, to exalt and magnify His majestic name, as our one true King. In His name I pray. Amen.
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