Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

I love the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians. The more I study it, the more I realize I don't know about the ways of God. Paul had such an insight into God's heart and how He works. Last night we only covered Eph 4 verses 2 and 3. We almost got to verse 4, but I decided to end at about 7:55.

Paul wants us to walk with weight that is equal to our calling, in view of all that God, Christ and the Holy Spirit have done for us (mentioned in Eph 1-3). The starting block of this walk is built upon the foundation that we must embrace humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearing one another in agape love. Our goal and that which we strive with all our energy and determination is the Unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are bound together in the most powerful force this world will ever know-peace with God. That is the gift of the cross, peace with God. And having peace with God, we can have peace with man. Our hearts can be one. When our hearts are one with God and with each other, there is the Unity of the Spirit. That is to be the purpose of our walk, that is to be the purpose of the church.

Most people say that is crazy talk, impossible to achieve, especially in a local church. Many a pastor has lost heart endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. But perhaps we have been going about it in the flesh, in the way big business and marketing guru's suggest. How does Paul say we should do it?

1. Realize we are prisoners to our Lord-we submit to Him.
2. Realize (having the eyes of our understanding enlightened) all that we have as indwelt and sealed believers.
3. Focus on walking (not running or racing) one step at a time.
4. Listen with attentive ears to God's voice (His calling)
5. Embrace Christ's "low-mindedness", His attitude that there is nothing we are too good to do on behalf of others.
6. Learn to be gentle - bear injuries without anger or a desire for revenge.
7. Be forbearing-going the extra mile to cover up and even overlook the ugliness of those around you. (Seeing God in the face of all you encounter, even mean ones)
8. Allowing God to love others through you.
9. Never give in to disillusionment or apathy, but dedicate yourself to diligence on God's behalf.
   
10. Major on the Major things of God, the Seven Essentials of Eph 4:4-5.

These are the lessons of Ephesians 4:1-3. If these be the foundation of our church, Christ will be Lord indeed. Any rational man would look at those and say, they are not possible. That is why we must endeavor to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The walk of Ephesians 4-6 is a walk of life in the Spirit, which means putting off the old man of stinking flesh.

May this be the goal of church elders and deacons and leaders across the world. The day is coming when God's throne will force the church to reveal whether we are walking in the Spirit or the flesh. Blessed are they that endure to the end.