Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:3
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3
We are at the culmination of the apostle Paul’s continuous urge to the believers in Ephesus and to us as well. The exhortation of walking the newness of life in the Lord Jesus Christ is founded in the appeal of matching this exalted blessedness in God through Christ – being saved by grace through faith to live the life prepared by the Lord for good works. This is to display His glory. And in this newness of life, be reminded that this shall never be separated with the understanding regarding the mystery gloriously revealed through Christ and the ministry of His apostles - that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Also, just to remind you, dear saint, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And so this make sense why all believers up to the present (and even future) are urged to walk with/in: 1) all humility and gentleness (v.2a); 2) all patience (v.2b); 3) bearing in love with one another (v.2c).
In continuation, the reason why these things are laid upon the believers of Ephesus (and to us as well), is for this purpose: “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (v.3)”. The Holy Spirit has united all genuine believers by drawing them to the Father through faith in the Son – Christ Jesus and indwelling them as a holy temple – a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Meaning to say, the Spirit has created oneness or fellowship, having the same standing, privilege, and value in God’s sight as the Lord’s redeemed people, and has now the shared and common responsibility of maintaining this unity in the bond of peace. And this is to be done eagerly by all true believers of the Lord by the Spirit’s fruit which include humility, patience, and love.
There is an intense labor or working to promote and preserve unity and peace, dear saint! That’s why the exhortation is made for all who were once sinners and rebels against God, that we may truly be able to walk worthy in our blessedness in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are required with all humility and gentleness, all patience, bearing in love with and for one another, that we might be able abundantly enjoy our oneness with all the believers of the Lord made by the Spirit of God. Therefore, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
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 to which you have been called 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, with a grateful and thankful heart, for You have made me part of Your people being built together in Your Son, for a dwelling place by the Spirit. And now, Father, as Your will is made known to me through Your words this day, please grant me the eagerness that You expect of me in maintaining unity with my brothers and sisters in the bond of peace. May the peace that we have in Your Son, truly be overflowing in me, that I may truly learn and be able live in peace with Your people whom You cherish because of Your Son. In His name I pray. Amen.
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