Unity: Ephesians 4:1-16

he title of this section of Scripture in my Bible is "Unity in the Body of Christ." The key to this unity Paul is talking about is the Holy Spirit. Unity is not to come from human effort alone but by each of us working together, yielding to the work of Christ in our lives, and loving one another. We are to be patient with one another. We are to be humble and gentle as we relate to one another. The grace of Christ has been given to us to be able to walk the walk of unity. It is the Holy Spirit working in and through each of us to attain this kind of unity.

In the last portion of today's Scripture, as a Pastor, is critical to how I think, act, and walk out my calling. God has given to the church "pastors and teachers." The purpose of this calling is very clear--"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." This is quite a list of responsibilities the pastor carries. Working with people across a spectrum of life experiences and opinions takes the wisdom of God. As a pastor, this list is before me every day. I often ask myself the questions: Am I preparing my people for works of service? Am I building up the church in such a way that unity in faith and practice is evident? Am I sharing the Word of the Lord in such a way that those I serve are growing in their knowledge of Christ and maturing in their faith?

Unity is brought to us through the grace of our Lord Jesus. It is through the Holy Spirit that I as a Pastor must walk out my calling to serve the Body of Christ. Together we mature and strive toward being full of the Spirit that each of us might serve the Lord faithfully each and every day. --