The Lowly Walk, Part 6

Ephesians 4:2-6

REVIEW

We have seen that the Christian life is first an issue of who we are. What we do follows after (see p. xx-xx). We can't begin to see the power of God in our lives until we're strengthened by God's Spirit in the inner man (Eph. 3:16). The worthy walk begins in the inner man, and that's the subject of Ephesians 4:1-6.

I. THE CALL TO THE WORTHY WALK (v. 1)

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation to which ye are called."

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WORTHY WALK (vv. 2-3)

"With all lowliness and meekness, with all long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

The goal of the worthy walk is unity. God's primary direction for the church is that we be one. Only then will the world recognize the supernatural origin of the church (see p. xx) and the church rightly manifest Christ to the world (see p. xx). When the apostle Paul looked at the church he said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). But how do we establish that unity?

A. Humility 

B. Meekness 

LESSON

C. Patience

The Greek word translated "long-suffering" (makrothumia) means "patient" or "long-tempered." A patient person doesn't have a short fuse and lose his temper.

1. The elements of patience

a) Enduring negative circumstances

(1) Abraham

Abraham received a promise from God: "In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore" (Gen. 22:17). Hebrews 6:15 says of Abraham, "After he had patiently endured [makrothumia], he obtained the promise." God had promised Abraham many descendants, yet he and Sarah had no children, she was barren, and Abraham himself was over 90 years old (Rom. 4:19). Nevertheless he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (v. 20). He believed God in the midst of negative circumstances, and ultimately God fulfilled His promise.

(2) Noah

In Noah's day rain had never fallen upon the earth. Yet when God instructed him to build a boat in the desert, Noah patiently endured for 120 years and built the ark (Gen. 6:3, 13-14; cf. 1 Pet. 3:20).

(3) Moses

Moses chose "to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25). He endured. A patient person has the ability to endure any circumstance without giving up or losing control.

(4) The prophets

James 5:10 speaks of "the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience [makrothumia]."

(a) Jeremiah

God informed Jeremiah that he would spend his life preaching, although the people wouldn't listen to him nor would the nation turn from its evil practices (Jer. 1:5-19). But Jeremiah was faithful and endured hatred, persecution, rejection, and unbelief. He was a truly humble man. He endured any circumstance to further God's causes.

(b) Isaiah

God gave similar instructions to Isaiah. He told him that in spite of the message he preached, the nation would continue to fall deeper into sin (Isa. 6:9-12). But Isaiah endured all the negative circumstances.

(5) Paul

(a) Acts 20:23-24--Before going to Jerusalem, Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "The Holy Spirit witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus." Paul would endure anything to accomplish God's purposes.

(b) Acts 21:11, 13--Agabus the prophet "took Paul's belt, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles" (v. 11). But Paul replied to those who therefore wanted to prevent him from going to Jerusalem, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready, not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (v. 13). All that mattered to Paul were the purposes, will, and work of God.

b) Coping with difficult people

Sometimes the problems in life are not our circumstances but the people around us. Makrothumia is used in Scripture to speak of patience with people as well as patience with circumstances. For example 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, "Be patient toward all men." That is meekness applied--the spirit that refuses to retaliate. A patient person bears insult, injury, persecution, unfair treatment, slander, criticism, hatred, jealousy, and envy. Whatever people throw at us we should accept without bitterness or complaint.

When you come in contact with a truly patient person, you couldn't start a fight with him no matter how hard you tried. You'd be forced to live in peace with him. Our normal reaction is to be defensive when we're provoked, which communicates that what's most important to us is who we are and what we do. But the important thing is to defend God and not ourselves.

People who criticize what I do help me whether they do it out of love or not. Criticism makes me rethink what I've done. That I can handle. But when someone impugns my motives, that's harder for me to take. Since it's almost impossible to state with certainty the motives of another, doing so is usually slander. But we really shouldn't be defensive about any kind of criticism. The patient person defends God, not himself, knowing that He will repay all wrongs at the right time.

c) Accepting God's plan for everything

A person who is long-suffering never argues with God's plan. He doesn't question circumstances, people, or God. A person who is longsuffering says, "Lord, if this is what You have planned for me, I'll obey You."

2. The example of patience

a) Jesus endured negative circumstances

Jesus came into the world having experienced only the glory of heaven. In His preincarnate state He knew face-to-face fellowship with God the Father (John 1:1-2). But He chose to leave a perfect environment that did nothing but praise His name. He came into our world, where men rejected Him, cursed Him, and ultimately crucified Him. Yet Jesus endured it all for our sake.

b) Jesus coped with difficult people

While Jesus hung on the cross bearing the sin of mankind, men were spitting at Him and mocking Him. Yet He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The people God forgives end up in heaven. Jesus was asking God to bring His murderers to heaven to be with Him forever.

c) Jesus accepted God's plan for everything

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). He was able to endure unimaginable suffering because He knew it was God's will.

Jesus was characterized by humility, which produces meekness and patience.

The Key to Evangelism

The virtues of Ephesians 4:2-3 enable the church of Jesus Christ to offer a powerful testimony. Many of us think the key to evangelism is following a set course or method, but the greatest message we have in this world is love and unity. The world wouldn't know how to handle us if such were the case because it would be obvious that we have a supernatural source. While evangelistic methods are important, they often aren't as effective as they could be because of the poor reputation of the church among unbelievers. It has been said that the church is like Noah's ark: if it weren't for the storm outside you couldn't stand the stink inside. That's an awful thing to say about the church. But if the church could be full of people who manifested genuine humility, meekness, and long-suffering, the world would have a much greater respect for it.

Sir. Henry Stanley traveled to Africa in 1872 to find Dr. David Livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer. After finding him Stanley spent several months with Livingstone, who by that time was an old man. Apparently Livingstone didn't say much to Stanley about spiritual things--he just continued to be about his business with the Africans. Stanley observed that throughout the months he watched him, Livingstone's habits were beyond his comprehension, especially his patience. Stanley could not understand his sympathy for the Africans, who had wronged Livingstone many times. For the sake of Christ and His gospel David Livingstone was patient, untiring, and eager. He spent himself for His Master. In his exciting account How I Found Livingstone Stanley wrote, "His religion is not of the theoretical kind, but is a constant, earnest, sincere practice. It is neither demonstrative nor loud, but manifests itself in a quiet practical way, and is always at work.... In him religion exhibits its loveliest features; it governs his conduct not only towards his servants but towards the natives ... and all who come in contact with him" ([N.Y.: C. Scribner, 1913], pp. 428-34).

I'm not advocating that you should never talk about the gospel, but what you say will have a far greater impact when you live your life in harmony with what the gospel teaches. If the world could see a clear picture of Jesus Christ through the unity of the church and its humble, meek, patient people, our evangelism would be sped along on wings. 

D. Love

"Forbearing one another in love" (v. 2) is a product of patience.

1. The definition

The Greek word translated "forbearing" means "suppressing with silence." It carries the idea of throwing a blanket over sin. First Peter 4:8 says, "Love shall cover the multitude of sins." Proverbs 10:12 says, "Hatred stirreth up strifes, but love covereth all sins." A person who has forbearing love not only endures whatever people may do to him, but also loves them in spite of those things. Although you may be able to endure the slander and persecution of your enemies, are you able to love them?

2. The distinctions

There are three common Greek words for love: eros, phileo, and agape.

a) Eros--This is the love that takes. A person who exhibits eros loves someone for what he can get out of that other person. It's the love that's typical of the world--sexual and lustful. It's the kind of love that drives us to be self-gratified.

b) Phileo--This is the love of give and take. In other words, I love you because of what I get from you and what I can give to you. It's the give and take of friendship.

c) Agape--This is the love that gives; there's no taking involved. It's the kind of love that sees the highest good for another no matter what it may cost. It is completely unselfish. God so loved mankind in this way that He "gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Agape is the Greek word translated "love" in "forbearing love" (Eph. 4:2). It is unconquerable benevolence and invincible goodness.

3. The description

Perhaps the greatest description of forbearing love is in Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus said, "Ye have heard it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the sons of your Father, who is in heaven.... For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the tax collectors the same? And if ye greet your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the heathen so? But ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father, who is in heaven, is perfect." How is God's perfection manifest? He loves the unlovable, including His enemies, in spite of what they do to Him.

Forbearing love was exemplified by Jesus as He hung on the cross and forgave His persecutors. It is similarly exemplified by Stephen, who, as he lied dying beneath the rocks he was stoned with, looked up to heaven and said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60).

Ephesians 4 tells us that the key to living the Christian life begins inside us with a commitment to be humble, meek, patient, and loving. They all are aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can produce those things in you as you yield to Him.

E. Unity

Ephesians 4:3 says to endeavor "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." That's the goal--that's how God wants to manifest Christ to the world. He doesn't want it to be seen as one more social club. Rather the church is to be seen as a divine institution of God, supernaturally born, supernaturally sustained, and with a supernatural destiny. Only when we are humble, meek, patient, and loving can we work at being unified.

1. The need for diligence

The Greek word translated "endeavoring" (spoudazo) means "to make haste," "to be zealous," "to be eager," or "to give diligence." In 2 Timothy 4:9 and Titus 3:12 Paul asks his servants to give diligence in coming to see him. In 2 Timothy 2:15 he says, "Study [be diligent] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."

Spoudazo calls for a strong commitment. Unity begins in the heart. The church will acquire unity when individual Christians commit themselves to walking worthy of Christ. We have to work at it. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by Gerhard Kittel, describes the noun form of spoudazo as "a 'holy zeal' which demands full dedication" (Gunther Harder, "Spoudazo, Spoude," vol. 7 [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971], p. 566).

Do Denominational Distinctives Divide?

I am grieved by all the disunity and discord in the church today. One of the main culprits is the focus on denominational distinctives. The church should focus on biblical distinctives--on what will unite us, not divide us. We need to humble ourselves and learn to love each other. That won't happen by starting some global ecumenical movement. But it will happen when we become what God wants us to be. Working at unity is a full-time task that demands maximum dedication and obedience from every Christian. 

2. The work of the Spirit

Often we focus on creating unity, but the Holy Spirit already made us one in Christ. Ephesians 4:3 clarifies what our responsibility is to be: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit." We either keep unity or destroy it.

First Corinthians 12:13 says, "By one Spirit were we all baptized into one body." Romans 8:9 says we are all indwelt by the same Spirit. Our unity is not organizational and ecumenical; it is personal and spiritual. We must seek to maintain it.

3. The bond of peace

This is what holds unity together. The Greek word translated "bond" refers to a belt. It pictures the Body of Christ being wrapped with the belt of peace, a peace that is born of love. That's what Paul meant in Philippians 2:1-4 by having the same love for one another. We can have that kind of love if we're like Christ (v. 5). That means we must humble ourselves and focus on the needs of others.

True unity is based on true love, which is based on true patience, which is based on true meekness, which is born out of true humility.

III. THE CAUSE OF THE WORTHY WALK (vv. 4-6)

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Everything God ever designed for the church is based on the unity of the people. Paul listed seven one's and each member of the Trinity is specifically involved.

A. The Holy Spirit (v. 4)

1. One body

There is one Body of Christ. There isn't a Presbyterian Body, a Baptist Body, a Methodist Body, or an Episcopal Body; or one in California, Utah, Kansas--there's just one Body. Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, their is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." There is only one Body, one church, and one head of that church. The entire book of Ephesians is based on that concept. Whatever your race, creed, culture, nationality, or language may be, when you become a Christian you became one with every other believer. Ephesians 3:15 says there is only one family of believers.

2. One Spirit

There is just one Holy Spirit, and all believers are indwelt by Him. First Corinthians 6:19 says, "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" Ephesians 2:22 says that the church is "built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Individually we are the temple of the Spirit; collectively we are the habitation of the Spirit.

3. One hope

Ephesians 4:4 says, "Ye are called in one hope of your calling." We have only one eternal calling--only one eternal destiny. The Holy Spirit guarantees our heavenly hope. Ephesians 1:13-14 says we were "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance." The Greek word translated "earnest" (Gk., arrabon) can refer to an engagement ring. What proves that God will bring us to the marriage supper of the Lamb is the Holy Spirit--He's our downpayment, our first installment. He guarantees our eternal inheritance.

Ephesians 4:4 delineates the Holy Spirit's ministry to us. We are placed into "one body" by the Holy Spirit, "one Spirit" indwells us, and our "one hope" is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Lord Jesus Christ (v. 5)

Verse 5 speaks of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

1. One Lord

We have one Lord.

a) Acts 4:12--"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

b) Galatians 1:9--"If any man preach any other gospel unto you ... let him be accursed."

c) Mark 13:21-22--Christ warned, "If any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."

d) Romans 10:12--"There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."

e) Colossians 2:9-10--"In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him."

2. One faith

The faith Paul was referring to is the content of Scripture. There may be many denominations and churches, but there is only one true Christian faith. Jude said, "Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (v. 3).

3. One baptism

This refers to water baptism. Some would claim it refers to Spirit baptism, but that was referred to in verse 4 as "one body." We all were placed into the Body of Christ by the baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

When a person comes to believe in the only true Lord, he should be baptized as a public expression of his faith. Public baptism was an essential part of the early church's testimony to the world. It is no less essential today. This one baptism is done "in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48), specifically "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).

C. The Father (v. 6)

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

There is only one God--there are no others. Throughout the Old Testament God explicitly states that He is the only God. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, "The Lord our God is one Lord." As Christians we have the same Father. He is "above all," which means He is the sovereign creator and controller of the universe. He is "through all," which means He is the providential upholder of the universe. And He is "in you all," which refers to His personal, indwelling presence.

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 4 describes the essentials of the Christian faith as "one." That's because God wants us to be one. To do that we have to look inside ourselves. We must begin with humility, which comes from a proper self-awareness, Christ-awareness, and God-awareness. Humility produces meekness, which produces patience, which produces love. Only when we possess those virtues can we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. As a result the world will see that we are different--that we are supernatural. Perhaps like Sir Henry Stanley, they will be drawn to Christ because of our worthy walk. May it be so.

Focusing on the Facts

1. Define "long-suffering".

2. What are three elements of patience?

3. Explain how Abraham stands out as an illustration of patience.

4. Give other biblical examples who exhibited similar patience.

5. How does someone who is patient relate to people?

6. How does a person who is patient react to God's will?

7. How did Jesus fulfill the three elements of patience?

8. What is more important than methods and training in evangelism? Explain.

9. What does "forbearing love" mean?

10. What are the three common Greek words translated "love"? Define each one.

11. Which Greek word for love does Paul use in Ephesians 4:2?

12. How is God's perfection manifested (Matt. 5:43-48)?

13. What is God's goal for the church (Eph. 4:3)?

14. What does the Greek word translated "endeavoring" call for?

15. How is unity in the church created? What is our responsibility with regard to unity?

16. What holds our unity together? Explain.

17. According to Ephesians 4:4, what is the Holy Spirit's ministry to us?

18. What is the "faith" referred to in Ephesians 4:5?

19. What kind of "baptism" does Ephesians 4:5 refer to? Explain.

20. Explain the meaning of the phrases "above all," "through all," and "in you all" in Ephesians 4:6.

Pondering the Principles

1. Review the elements of patience (see pp. 1-4). How do you usually respond to negative circumstances? How do you respond to criticism, especially criticism of your motives? How do you view God's immediate plan for your life? What can you apply to your life from Christ's example (see p. 4)? Often we struggle with understanding why God allowed difficult circumstances or people into our lives, so we question His plan. But who are we to question God? Read Isaiah 40:6-31. Get your focus off yourself and onto God, who allows us to mount up with wings like eagles so we won't grow weary.

2. According to Matthew 5:43-48, a true test of your Christianity is your willingness to love your enemies. What are some reasons that God wants us to love our enemies as well as our neighbors? Do you have a genuine love for your enemies? Think of specific people you have difficulty getting along with. What are some good ways you might begin to show love towards them? Make the commitment to follow through on those ideas.