Ephesians 4:1-6

Paul says, “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). He is not telling us to earn our place in Christ. He is telling us to live like people who have already been changed by Christ.

That worthy walk looks like humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. These are not optional virtues. They are the character qualities necessary for people who are going to live together in one body.

Paul then tells us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Notice—we do not create the unity. The Spirit has already done that. Our responsibility is to live in a way that does not contradict what God has created.

There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. The church does not demonstrate the power of the gospel by everyone having the same preferences. It demonstrates the power of the gospel when people with different preferences refuse to become enemies.

Uniformity says, “We stay together because we are alike.” Gospel unity says, “We stay together because Christ has made us one.”

We do not create the oneness. We live the unity God has created. We learn to live what God has already made us.