“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3, NIV)”
The Apostle Paul starts the application section of this letter with this exhortation. Having spent three chapters laying out a theological foundation, he begins his “how-to” section with a call to unity. If we accept the truth of and lean into the grand picture of Ephesians chapters 1-3, our best response is to expend every effort for unity.
Every church has a tension that keeps pulling members apart from each other. Sometimes the tensions are between those who are comfortable financially, and those who are struggling. Other times it is between those who are life-long members and those who have recently joined. For some, the tension bubbles between the senior citizens and the teens.
And yet, Paul says that Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2:14, NIV). We are one because our access to God is exactly the same. Each one who follows Christ began by admitting their spiritual inadequacy, and by accepting the free gift made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection. In the thing that counts the most, there is no dividing line.
The chapter goes on to answer the question, “how do we keep the unity?” Ephesians 4:4-6 exhorts believers to focus their attention on what unifies us: “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.”
A healthy church keeps the focus on our unity, while confessing the reality of our diversity. Diversity is not bad, but it is not the ultimate goal, either. Rather a unity which liberates the work of the Spirit is the ultimate goal.