Week #2: The Power of Unity: Building a Community that Reflects Christ
Blog Series Intention Recap
When you ask someone what they think about the church, be prepared for any response. What they say may inspire feelings of anger, sadness, joy, or hope, depending on what they have experienced in their dealings with believers. This five-week series explores five congregational values that should define our relationships with those inside and outside the church. When we fulfill our biblical call to the four C’s—commission, community, commandment, and collaboration—we can be the church that glorifies Jesus.
This post is the main page of the series “Our House.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
Living in Unity: The Power of Community… In Ephesians 4:1–6, Paul calls believers to walk in unity, humility, and love, emphasizing that the community of the church is a living testimony to the world of Christ’s power to reconcile and transform. Unity within the church is not just a nice idea—it’s a command that reflects the heart of God and is essential for fulfilling His purposes. Pursuing unity in the church requires a commitment to humility, patience, and selflessness. As we embody these virtues, we become a powerful witness to the world of God’s grace and love, allowing the church to grow spiritually and reach those around us with the transforming power of the gospel.
Why it Matters:
The Call to Walk Worthy: Believers are called to live in a manner that reflects their calling in Christ, embracing unity as an essential aspect of the Christian life.
Humility and Patience: Unity in the church is built on the foundation of humility and patience, qualities that promote peace and reconciliation.
The Foundation of Unity: The unity of the church is rooted in the shared faith in one God, one Savior, and one Holy Spirit.
The Power of Community: A unified church is a powerful tool for God’s Kingdom, providing a place for spiritual growth, encouragement, and outreach to the world.
Go Deeper:
When we think of the church, what comes to mind? A place of worship, teaching, and fellowship? A community where believers are encouraged to grow in their faith and serve one another? These are all true, but the church is also something more—it is a living demonstration of the power of God to transform and reconcile. And this transformation is most clearly seen in the unity that exists within the church.
In Ephesians 4:1–6, Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” a calling that includes a commitment to unity. Unity is not just a nice idea for the church to strive toward; it is essential for the church to be a reflection of Christ to the world. Unity is a witness to the world that God is at work, reconciling people to Himself and to one another.
This week, as we dive into the second value in our "Our House" series—Community—we’ll explore how the unity of the church is a powerful tool for the Kingdom of God. Let’s take a closer look at what it means to walk in unity and how we can foster a spirit of humility and love that reflects the gospel.
The Call to Walk Worthy of Our Calling
Ephesians 4:1 begins with a strong exhortation: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” The word “walk” here refers to how we live our lives—our daily conduct. Paul is calling believers to live lives that are consistent with their identity in Christ. The Christian calling is not just about doctrinal beliefs; it is about a way of living that reflects the gospel.
This calling is not just for individual believers but for the community as a whole. The way we live together as a church should reflect the unity we have in Christ. Unity in the body of Christ is essential because it demonstrates to the world the reconciling work of Christ. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The unity of the church is a sign to the world of God’s work of redemption.
To walk in a manner worthy of the calling means living in a way that demonstrates humility, patience, and love. It is a call to prioritize the health and unity of the community, understanding that our relationships with one another are a reflection of our relationship with God.
Humility and Patience: The Foundation of Unity
Unity in the church is not achieved by mere agreement or shared interests; it is built on the foundation of humility and patience. Paul emphasizes in verse 2, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” These qualities—humility, gentleness, and patience—are not optional for the believer; they are essential for preserving unity in the church.
Humility is the opposite of selfish ambition and pride. It means recognizing that others are more important than ourselves, putting the needs of others above our own (Philippians 2:3). Humility is crucial for unity because it opens the door for reconciliation and understanding. When we are humble, we are willing to listen, to forgive, and to seek the good of others.
Patience is equally important in maintaining unity. People are messy, and relationships take time. Disagreements will arise, but patience allows us to work through differences without division. Instead of quickly reacting or abandoning relationships, patience calls us to endure and to bear with one another, always seeking peace and reconciliation.
In a world that values individualism and self-promotion, humility and patience are counter-cultural virtues that can transform relationships within the church. These qualities foster a spirit of unity, allowing the body of Christ to function as God intended.
The Foundation of Unity: One God, One Faith, One Spirit
In verses 4–6, Paul lays out the theological foundation for the unity of the church. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The unity of the church is not based on shared preferences or experiences, but on the common faith we have in the one true God. The church is united because we share the same Savior—Jesus Christ—and the same Holy Spirit who dwells within us. This unity is not created by human effort but is a result of God’s work in bringing us together as one body.
When we remember that we are united in our faith in one Lord and one God, it shifts our perspective on relationships within the church. We are not isolated individuals but members of one body, each with a unique role to play. Our unity is a gift from God, and it is grounded in the truth of the gospel. This is the foundation on which we build our relationships with one another.
The Power of Community: A Witness to the World
The unity of the church is not just for our benefit; it is a powerful witness to the world. Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 that His followers would be one is not only for our personal growth—it is a testimony to the world that God has sent Jesus to redeem us. When the church is united, it reflects the love, power, and grace of God to a watching world.
A unified church is a place where believers grow together, encourage one another, and serve the community. It is a place where people can experience the transforming power of the gospel in action. As we walk in unity, we demonstrate to the world that the gospel has the power to reconcile even the most broken and divided relationships.
The power of unity is seen in the early church, where “all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). Their unity was a witness to the world, and God added to their number daily those who were being saved. When we are united, we become a powerful tool in God’s hands for reaching the lost.
How does this help me understand, “Our House?”
The Call to Pursue Unity
As we continue our journey through the "Our House" series, we are reminded of the importance of unity in the church. Unity is not just a passive agreement—it is an active pursuit that requires humility, patience, and love. When we walk worthy of our calling, seeking to preserve the unity of the Spirit, we become a powerful witness to the world of God’s transforming grace.
This week, reflect on your role in the body of Christ. How can you contribute to unity within your church? Are there areas where you need to grow in humility or patience? Let’s commit to walking in a manner worthy of our calling, always seeking to build up the body of Christ and reflect the love of God to the world.
