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photo_0163421720stuvspAt this juncture in his epistle, Paul has reached his points of application. He has written of the spiritual blessings in Christ, the way in which the Ephesians were redeemed, and God’s use of himself in the revelation of the mystery, along with his prayer for the Ephesians’ realization and appropriation of the strength offered in Christ. Now they need to “walk worthy of the calling.”

Christianity is an active religion with a special and pointed plan. We are to walk “worthy,” i.e., becomingly toward the One who called us, and per His standard. To walk in this way, Paul notes some needed characteristics which concern our relationship with God, and our brethren:

  • Lowliness – We must have a mind of humility. We do not think highly of ourselves before God, or our brethren. We esteem others better than ourselves (cf. Philippians 2:3).
  • Gentleness – The disposition of humility which accepts God’s dealings with us as good, thus absent of resistance. Toward each other we are mild, forgiving, and understanding.
  • Longsuffering – We are patient in our work for the Lord, bearing wrong in His name. We are patient with our brethren, not seeking retaliation, or our own welfare.
  • Love – Love “bears all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). We bear one another’s burdens (cf. Galatians 6:1-2), and with each other’s scruples (cf. Romans 15:1).

In all this, we are to be “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This unity is a direct result of that which was noted before regarding our salvation. However, it takes extreme effort and vigilance to “keep the unity.” To do so, we adhere to the Spirit’s revelation of God’s will. Christ has “one body,” the church of the New Testament. Such is a product of the “one Spirit” and His teaching. All who are a part of that “one body” have “one hope,” eternal life in heaven with God. That hope is realized by following the “one Lord,” Jesus who is the sovereign One’; obeying the “one faith,” the system of faith which is the gospel; and coming into fellowship with Christ by the “one baptism.” All these “ones” are in service and obeisance to the “one God and Father of all.” We obey Him alone, thus he is in, through, and above us all.