[:en]SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 4
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4: 2-3)
“In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32)
Unity in the Body of Christ
There is one body and one Spirit – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (vs. 4-5). Make the spiritual unity become a practical reality in our lives by being humble, gentle, patient, kind, compassionate, forgiving and speaking the truth in love.
Living as Children of Light
Since we have been set free from the old life, we should live as children of light. Do not stay angry after the sun sets. Get rid of falsehood, anger, lying, laziness, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, malice and unforgiving spirit. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Instead, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32)
Lesson: The church must be united in faith as a whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love (v. 15). Oneness in Christ does not destroy our individuality because each is given special gift to build up the church. So we must use our gifts to serve God and strengthen the church. By working together, we can become mature to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Since we are Christ’s representative on earth, we must live as children of light. We have to put off our old self and put on the new self (v. 22). We are not to be driven by the deceitful desires and impulses but rather put on a new nature of God’s true righteousness and holiness (v.24).[:]