Note: This post is part of a series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Click here to view all posts.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Unity is hard. Just look around. In families, friendships, communities—and yes, even in churches—division runs deep. But Ephesians chapter 4 gives us a heavenly picture: the whole Christian church, joined together by one Spirit, gathered under one Lord, living in one faith.
This unity is not man-made. It’s Spirit-given. We don’t manufacture it through shared preferences or mutual agreement. We receive it because we share one Savior. We were each called into one hope—the sure confidence of eternal life through Jesus Christ. And that calling binds us together, no matter our differences.
Paul isn’t blind to the reality of human conflict.
That’s why, earlier in this chapter, he urges us to “live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love”(Ephesians 4:2). Gospel unity doesn’t ignore hardship; it leans into grace. We walk together, not because we are alike but because we are united in Christ.
Think of the church as a body. Different parts, different functions, yet one whole. Each believer plays a part. And none are disposable. None are superior. We need one another. We grow together as we speak the truth in love, rooted in Christ, who is the head.
Sadly, the devil works hard to fracture that unity. He wants us to focus on annoyances, disagreements, and offenses. He wants pride to divide us. But God calls us to something better: a unity built on truth and held together by love.
The confession “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” isn’t just doctrine.
It’s doxology. It’s worship. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Our faith isn’t a private treasure to hoard; it’s a shared inheritance. Through baptism, we were brought into the same family. Through faith, we rest in the same grace. And through Jesus, we follow the same Shepherd.
So when unity feels fragile, pray. When relationships feel strained, show grace. When disagreements arise, speak the truth in love. The bond we share in Christ is stronger than the differences we face in the world.
Will the visible church of believers be completely united in every thought, word, and deed on this side of heaven? No. But we look forward to the day when all of God’s children are home and we see our Savior face-to-face.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing us into your family. Forgive us for the times we’ve allowed pride or impatience to cause division. Help us pursue peace, speak the truth in love, and cherish the bond we share with our fellow believers. Strengthen our unity through your Spirit and draw us closer to you. In your name. Amen.
Discover what God wants you to know about the unsearchable riches of Christ, which are yours by faith, and the love of Christ, which surpasses all knowledge, Ephesians: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, a devotional commentary by Pastor Roy W. Hefti.
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Scripture references come from the Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. Click here to learn more about this translation. Have questions about the Bible itself? Check out a helpful series here.
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