“As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. vs1-3

We must preserve the unity of the Spirit. We must not allow personal differences in politics and sociology to break the harmony of the saints. As we discuss things, we must recognize that our opinions are not law. Paul taught us to love in matters indifferent [Rom 14].

You vote how you see fit. You stand or kneel for the flag. It does not matter. We are law abiding. We honor the state, but we love the Lord Jesus Christ, and our hearts are submitted to Him.

Nothing is more important than this unity, and when we break it, we show immaturity and indifference to Christ - that we’d let one for whom He died be offended by our behavior.

We cannot all think the same on matters not clearly addressed in Scripture. One man thinks taxes should be low, and every man fends for himself. Another believes the state is a collective of people, laboring together for the benefit of all. It doesn’t matter; it is no reason to separate brothers.

Our mission is to ADVANCE the gospel, and we do this, when we have peace among each other.

Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way [to bring the good news to Jacob], and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!” [Gen 45:24]

If outsiders see our love, though we differ, then it helps them to see Christ [John 13:35].

First, this is our oneness! vs4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;”

It’s not in politics or culture. It’s not in income or ethnicity. We are all one in the body of Christ, redeemed by His blood, and chosen from the foundation of the world.

He found us as sinners, dead and corrupted, and now we are bond slaves to Christ willingly, gladly, and forever! We know His love and taste it daily. The unfathomable riches of the inheritance are made known to us by the word and the Spirit. We have power with God, the forgiveness of sins, and we have ONE FATHER!

“One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” vs6

Abide in this oneness. Recognize our unimportant differences, and unite in what matters. We don’t have to agree, but we have to work together in things more important.

Secondly, Christ fulfills all things: He ascended to the right hand of God to give us gifts. vs7-10

He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fulfill all things. vs7-10

These gifts include gifted men, who enable us to use our gifts, as Jesus Christ is preached [vs11-12].

We see Him in the gospel, exalted on high, and we are RELEASED FROM BONDAGE. Love flows to our heart and power over sin. We are liberated to fulfill our purpose, which is using our gifts for His glory, whether it be teaching, helping, serving, showing compassion, or organizing.

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. [Rom 12:6-8]

Whether it be writing, singing, extraordinaire prayer, or faith! Whatever it is, God’s given it to edify the body and build one another up.

One man said, "Your ministry is not for yourself."

We are not tearing others down. We are not drawing lines of discord. We are uniting in the cause of Christ with love to each other [Rom 13:10]. Let us recognize this: We have been gifted by the sovereign grace to build up, not argue, and this is what life is about. Let us love each other, and we’ll prove our discipleship.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [John 13:35]

Thirdly, our maturity is Jesus Christ! vs11-13

“And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors & teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry & to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith & in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.”

We are not trying to be the best version of ourselves. We want to be like Him and grow in grace and knowledge. We want to be like our Redeemer - the Most Beautiful Person in the world!

See His grace, love, and majesty. See His kindness to the poor, diligence, and His compassion. See His boldness, tenderness, and see His courage to die on the cross unwaveringly! See Him loving YOU, when you were poor in spirit and had nothing to give [Luke 7:42]. See Him coming to you graciously, when you were wrong. See Him pointing us to a better way, and be like Him, more and more.

"But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way." [1 Cor 12:31]

This is the purpose of our gifts: To build one another in Christ; it is not only doctrine but also spirit; it isn’t all about what you know, but also how you live it towards us. It is being CHRIST-LIKE in these hard times and sticking to God’s word.

Finally, love is the meaning of our life! vs14-16

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

Love towards our neighbor, love towards each other, and love towards our enemies. Brotherly love must wax strong: It is a special love for those who are TOGETHER in things that are essential.

[add] to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. [2 Pet 1:7]

Nations shall fall. Borders shall crumble. Ethnicities shall be dissolved, but we will be together forever as one in Christ Jesus.