Dig Into Ephesians with Todd WagnerSample

Unity of the Faith

Though newlyweds may idealize marriage, married couples with even a little experience know the truth—the joys of marriage also include conflict, pain, and trials. Even the most prepared couple will face hardships that threaten to tear them apart. A healthy marriage will require commitment to vows, a willingness to understand and extend forgiveness, and a desire to serve each other.

Yes, it takes work to keep a relationship healthy. The same is true in the church and in our relationship with God. As Todd said in the video, “Even someone who has responded to the truth still needs to work diligently to live worthily. Sanctification is a process.”

Sanctification is a big word that means “becoming more like Christ.” It describes the ongoing maturity and growth of people who have trusted and pledged themselves to Jesus. This is the church—a group of still-maturing people who share a common savior, a common hope, a common faith (vv. 4–5).

Because sanctification is a process, we often get it wrong. Conflict happens, even among those who love God. We shouldn’t pretend everything is perfect. It takes work to make peace (not just keep it). It can be easy to profess love for the one true God and at the same time to hate one’s neighbor, which is why Jesus connected them when he named the two greatest commandments: Love God. Love your neighbor.

Love of God means love of neighbor. How do you love your neighbor? Paul gives us examples in chapter 4: Do not steal from each other (4:28), do not slander another Christian (4:29), be compassionate and forgiving to all (4:32), and so on.

In God’s kingdom, unity and diversity go hand in hand. Paul urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (v. 3). A unified church makes God attractive to outsiders. We are unified because of him, and we stay unified when we practice the behaviors listed here in Ephesians 4. Think about your interactions with other believers. How are you pursuing unity? In what ways can you tangibly reflect God’s love to them?