Four Marks of Unity

Ephesians 4

By Jared Saavedra

• “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy to which you have been called, 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.” Ephesians 4:1-3.

When we receive Christ’s salvation for us, we are privileged to be a part of the body of Christ, which means that are able to be with God’s people. Shouldn’t the amazing privilege of God’s calling on our change something about the way we act on a daily basis?

Just like a body has parts for different functions, so the body of Christ, the church, has different functions. Nevertheless, before Paul tells the Ephesian church what sort of roles they could individually fill out in the church (vv. 11-4), he identifies four attributes that all Christians should have.

1.Humility and Gentleness

In whatever capacity we serve God, humility is required. When we try to serve without humility, we consider ourselves the ones in a performance, everyone watching us. A good definition of humility is found in Philippians 2:3, which calls us to “count others more significant” than ourselves. Gentleness is another key attribute. Serving God shouldn’t be a competition.

2. Patience

To be a part of God’s people, patience is a priority. God’s people are simply that: people. Regardless, God’s attitude toward us as sinner is an excellent example of patience from which we can glean. Paul said in another letter that patience was one of the things that helped him through disastrous trials (2 Corinthians 6:6). Having patience with others in service is having endurance in faith.

3. Love

So much is written about love in the Bible, but the verse above tells us to “bear with one another in love.” This is farther than patience. Jesus said, “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, in you have love for one another” (John 13:35). As Jesus said, if the people of God love each other, the love of God is displayed.

4. Unity in the Spirit

2 Corinthians 1:22 speaks of the seal of the Holy Spirit that every true believer has living inside. If a person in the church does the first three things, and yet feels as though he isn’t unified with the believers, perhaps that person does not know God. There’s a certain understanding that draws believers of all different backgrounds together. It’s not some hippy unity, but the living God drawing us together.

Are you a part of God’s body? Again, it’s a privilege—not a chore—to go to church. But for all the parts to properly work, each person should have the salvation that Christ offers. If we turn away from our sin and accept his forgiveness, this is one of the many blessings we have in Him.