“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4).
The church in Ephesus was made up of believers from diverse racial and social backgrounds. They were people of different ages and temperaments. There are many things that could have brought division in the church, but the spiritual realities which unite them far outnumber those pressures which could divide them.
As we will see over the next few days, Paul will depict a powerful seven-fold cord of unity. We will look at the first three today. The one body is the body of Christ which is comprised of all of His people who have entered into relationship with God the Father through Him. The first implication of this truth that Paul was quick to point out is that Jewish and Gentile believers have been reconciled to one another in this one new body (2:14).
The one Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit who fills all true believers. Paul elaborates on the work of the Spirit in creating one new unified body in 1 Corinthians 12:13. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
The hope of our calling is the hope of sharing the glory of Christ. Presently we are being transformed from glory to glory (i.e. we are being conformed to His image) but ultimately in the consummation, we shall be like Him (1 Jn. 3:2). The same Spirit that is transforming us now will ultimately conform all believers into His image. For this reason alone, disunity is a reproach to the work of the Spirit, who indwells us.
Prayer. Thank You for making us one body. Forgive me when any of my actions or attitudes brings reproach on the unifying work of Your Spirit. Amen.