A Fractured Church
In his book, “Mending the Fractured Church,” Andy Hale writes in many churches a deep undercurrent of tension is felt, often manifesting as intense disagreements over nonessential dogmas or renewed debates about biblical authority and interpretation. In some churches, political division adds fuel to the fire, creating an even more toxic environment. If your church has somehow avoided this, consider yourself fortunate.
For many, the people they sit next to in worship feel more like “frenemies” than fellow believers. This tension can cast a shadow over nearly every aspect of church life.
Studying Ephesians 4
As I was reading this book this week, I was also studying Ephesians 4:1-6 for our TNT Bible Study. In Paul’s encouragement to the church at Ephesus he writes these words:
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Words That Jump From the Page
There are many words in those two verses that jump from the page. Paul encourages us to be humble and lowly in opinion of self. He tells us to be gentle. If we are to be angry, be angry at the things that anger God.We are to be patient with one another.We do not retaliate even when we could or have the right too. We must endure one another with a love that is unconditional and a choice of the will.
The Word “Keep”
However, the one word that jumped from the page for me this week was the simple word “keep.” I had never really noticed that word in this passage.I have always read this passage as a way to have unity or to seek unity within the body of Christ. However, that is not what Paul is writing. Paul is telling us that our unity exists already not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done. Our relationship with God through Jesus already puts us in a state of unity with other believers. Even other believers that may be different from us in many ways.The unity we have is the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit within us. Paul wants us now to “keep it.” The word means to guard it, protect it and reserve it.
Make Every Effort
Paul instructs us to “make every effort” to keep the unity we already possess through Christ. In a world where there is so much to tear us apart, the church is called to be different. We are called to give testimony to the power of God and the transforming work of the gospel by making unity a primary expression of our faith. Unity does not mean uniformity, but it means agreement. What is the agreement that keeps unity? Paul tells us at the end of this section of scripture. Paul writes: There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God who is Father of all, who is over all, and through all and in all.
Final Encouragement
I encourage you as followers of Jesus to “keep the unity” that is ours in Christ. In all things be humble, gentle, patient and love one another. That may be the greatest testimony we can have in our broken world.
