(#889, Imperial, 1960)
Read Ephesians 4:1-6.
We now come in this epistle to the practical. The first 3 chapters deal with the doctrinal;
the last 3 deal with the practical. The two go together. We must have the doctrine correct to have the
practice correct.
ƒ The
Christian's walk, v1.
Much is said in the Epistles about our walk. The consistent life of the Christians is one
of the greatest testimonies to the unsaved.
Inconsistency is a major hindrance.
We are to walk in keeping with our "calling". We are...
1. Called
out of darkness into God's marvelous light.
2. Called
into the grace of Christ.
3. Called
into the fellowship of Christ.
4. Called
into holiness.
5. Called
into glory and virtue.
6. Called
into peace.
This is a high, holy and heavenly calling.
ƒ The
worthy walk, vs. 2-3.
w Lowliness. A low estimate of oneself. The demand for recognition is absent. It is a
deep humility as opposed to pride, arrogance and conceit. God requires it (Micah 6:8), Christ
exemplified it (Matt. 11:29), and it is essential in our relations with
believers (Rom.
12:3; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:12).
w Meekness.
Absence of resentment, willing to be wronged.
w Long-suffering. Patient endurance, not a short temper.
w Forebearing
one another in love. Christians are not
to resent injuries or retaliate for wrongs done.
w Keeping
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The foregoing virtues enable us to keep this unity.
ƒ The
source of Christian unity, vs. 4-6.
1. One
Body. The church is not many groups but
One.
2. One
Spirit. 1Co.12:13: one Spirit animates the Church.
3. One
Hope. Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; 1 Tim. 1:1.
4. One
Lord. Only one allegiance in the body of
Christ.
5. One
Faith. That allegiance expresses itself
in faith.
6. One
Baptism. Again, see 1 Cor. 12:13.
7. One
God and Father of All.
These unities should incline us to the unity of the Spirit.
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