Leveling Up Towards Unity

Ephesians 4:17-32

Everyone looks for ways to advance in life to find that next level of success or achievement. Jobs – raises come as we learn more and do more. Video games – rest in people finding the knowledge or item necessary to reach the next level. It’s a normal part of human nature, so I thought I would share some important tidbits of survival in this world: 1) in a biz meeting, take off sunglasses and put on a suit, 2) In Japan, take off shoes and put on formal clothing, and 3) In a restaurant, take off your overcoat, but put it on if you’re in the mountains; survival is important. When we learn things like this, we gain power to make positive changes in our lives. In Eph 4, Paul is challenging his readers with the changes they need to make for unity and one-ness and success as believers in the harvest.

For Paul, the key is getting the believers to live and work as ONE. They need to bring all their differences together into a workable unit under the head (Christ). With Him, they will be able to live out good actions that show outsiders the goodness of God, which helps others grow in the faith and participate in the harvest. This is the discipleship pipeline. Though a difficult venture, we can succeed because of the power we are given from God. Because of Jesus we can choose unity and grace through our actions. Christ’s work on earth and in us has empowered us to choose the right way. Let’s break that apart a bit.

Empowerment in Christ (v20-24)

Jesus is both our example of and power for change. Because of Him, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). This means when we trust in Christ, the old self that is trapped by our sin dies and we become free to shed that skin and begin a new life in Christ. Thus, it is His death and resurrection that supplies us with the power to do so in our own lives.

He is also our example, for as Phil 2 states, He chose to give up His heavenly life with all its glory and put on the weaknesses of man. With power in Christ we are powered with the ability to give up the old and move toward the new, and are also inspired by His example – knowing that because of His life, we can choose a better way.

Choice to Live Well (v25-32)

That leads to a choice. Therein lies the challenge from Paul. Verse 24 says “to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It’s ours, we have the life and the power, we just have to put it on. In other words, it is up to us to choose how we will live. With each and every situation, we have the ability to choose the right path with each step we take.

Imagine a briefcase that you are carrying, but is also handcuffed to you. Like sin to a non-believer in Christ, even if you wanted to, you wouldn’t be able to remove the briefcase. With Christ, the chain is broken and we are free, but we still have to choose to let go of it. We can pick it up and let it go, choosing either sin or righteousness. That’s the difference in power and choice we have as believers. Because of Christ, the chain is broken and all we have to do is put down the briefcase. This means saying no to things like lying, angry outbursts, theft, gossip, etc… and instead practicing things like truth, generosity, encouragement, and peace-making.

SO WHAT?

Last week, we read from Joshua 24, when he called the people of Israel to “choose this day whom you will serve”. It is time for us to choose. We wake up each day with that choice and face it every time a new situation arises. The question is ours now – will we unify together as a church, putting aside differences and working together towards growth and the harvest? Here’s how we can choose that today:

1. Write an encouragement card to someone today.
2. Offer (or ask for) forgiveness for anything that could be getting in the way of relationship – choose people over grudges.
3. Give, of yourself, to someone else. Could be money, time, effort, etc… but give up of yourself for another.

We use the word practice because it’s not our nature. We are empowered, but we have to choose and practice the right things, because the old ways are easier. Let’s take step 1 today and each become a little closer to being that barrel of monkeys we discussed last week.