There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

                                                                                                            Ephesians 4:4-6 

Today’s passage brings us a tremendous truth that will keep us from falling into the same traps that have plagued the church over the centuries. Paul emphasizes the reality that there is only one body of Christ. It’s difficult to miss the use of the same word over and over again. There is one body, there is one Spirit, and there is one Lord. These statements and others like them bring us face to face with the undeniable truth that everyone who belongs to Christ is a part of the same body. Unfortunately, this is not always what we see in the church today and I will propose that this lack of unity can cause the world to be quite confused about what it actually means to be a follower of Christ.

Some churches become tribal being skeptical of anyone who is not a part of their group. There are churches steeped in ritual and tradition creating an environment in which change is the ultimate disruptor. Others profess loyalty to a specific doctrinal leaning, Bible teacher, or denominational inclination. In some cases, sound doctrine is defined as “agreeing with them” while false doctrine is labeled as any viewpoint other than theirs. Taken to the extreme, some groups announce themselves to be the only “true church” discounting the work of any other Christian church or organization, labeling all others as not a part of the body of Christ. In the face of all of this, scripture clearly instructs us that there is only one body of Christ and that everyone who belongs to Christ is as much a part of the church as any other member. Scripture goes a step further, warning us not to create divisions at all. Consider the following: 

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided?

                                                                                                     1 Corinthians 1:10-13a

What was happening in the Corinthian church stills occurs today. It is only human nature for us to gravitate toward those who look, think, and act as we do, but when these fleshly tendencies begin to create separation in the church, we start down the slippery slope of division. These Corinthians believers were setting up theological camps along side their favorite leaders and teachers. Some were following Paul (thankfully he resisted the flattery), some we siding with a man named Apollos, others were following Cephas (Peter), and then some were actually proclaiming loyalty to Christ Himself. Paul summarizes this passage with a rhetorical question, one I believe that should be asked in the church today, “Has Christ been divided?” Of course the answer to that question is “No.” What we see today is no different from what was taking place in the first century church. People align themselves with their favorite doctrines and teachers. This alone is not necessarily problematic unless it leads to division and skepticism of others not of our particular theological persuasion. I would like to say that I have never seen this type of behavior in the church, but tragically I have seen it too many times. In almost every instance, I have seen it create division and it certainly hasn’t promoted unity of the Spirit. So is there a solution? Of course! Consider Paul’s instructions just prior to today’s passage:

…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:2-3 

Just like Paul’s use of the word “one” seven times in proclaiming the truth about the singularity of the church, I see seven descriptive words used to describe what every Christian should exhibit in handling others. To start, we are to have humility, gentleness, and patience with others. If you have been a believer for any length of time, I am sure you have had this instruction put to the test. I would like to boldly proclaim that I have never lost my patience with others, but I cannot say that. We all live in the flesh but that shouldn’t act as an excuse for bad behavior rather a reminder that we all need to guard against allowing our own wants and desires to surface when dealing with others. It indeed is a challenge, but that is why we need the counsel of scripture and the power of the Spirit firmly in control of our lives. I believe this is the only way that we can avoid making the same mistakes we see in others.

In addition to humility, gentleness, and patience (as if that were not enough), Paul instructs us to have tolerance for each other out of love. Tolerance gets a bad rap largely because it is used in our culture to justify sinful lifestyles, but that is not how Paul uses it. Tolerance means allowing fellow Christians to develop over time and to grow in their faith. If we belong to Christ, we are all saved, but that doesn’t mean that we are all at the same stage of development. If you’re not constantly adjusting and tweaking what you believe as you learn more about scripture, you are not growing. I do not believe we are to put our theological heads down and push through, never looking up to consider what is around us. We don’t have to abandon solid, healthy doctrine in exercising tolerance. We are simply yielding to others, understanding that we are all in process.

Finally, Paul tells us to be diligent to keep unity of the Holy Spirit and we do that through peaceful interactions with one another. You may recall that diligence is one of the Christian traits that Peter uses in his letter (2 Peter 1). Diligence means that we are not willing to give up on the unity of the Spirit in the church. It means that we are committed to peaceful behavior with one another. Here is where I see a potential problem developing. It is easy to interpret being at peace with someone as being nice, cordial, and congenial with those around us. That is a nice thought, but if we have theological rage and contempt in our hearts for others, this outward display will be meaningless. In other words, if you have malice in your heart toward other believers, do everything you can to rid yourself of that spiritual disease. It will only lead to disruption and division.

So there is only one body of Christ and everyone who has called on the name of the Lord and asked Him to save them is as much a part of that body as you or any other. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides with them and they abide with God (1 John 4:15). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). If we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). Those who believe are not condemned and will receive eternal life (John 3:16-18). These are not difficult passages to understand and they all point to the truth that eternally speaking, in the eyes of God, there is only one body of Christ. Whatever other criteria we place on others stems from our own beliefs and preferences. Jesus spoke on this issue as his disciples too had a problem with “others” doing ministry in the name of Jesus. Consider the following: 

John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him,“Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

                                                                                                                   Luke 9:49-50 

It is easy to spot someone who is not spiritually on your side. Just remember the words of Christ, “if they are not against, they are for you.” One thing I have learned never to question in another person, because I am wholly unable to assess it, someone’s salvation or his/her sincerity. If someone proclaims the name of Jesus, I must accept them as a brother and sister in Christ. Their life will validate or dismiss any skepticism that I may have. Discernment can be exercised without any disruption or division created. Theological differences may occur, but the unifying force for all Christians is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit living on the inside of a redeemed life. Let’s unify ourselves around those realities!