A Reflection on Ephesians 4:1–16
Dear friends,
As I reflect on Ephesians 4, I hear an urgent and tender invitation from the heart of God:
“I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
— Ephesians 4:1–2
This isn’t a distant theological idea — it’s a practical, everyday way to live. It’s how we treat each other when we disagree. How we show up when it’s inconvenient. How we build something together that’s more holy than our opinions, more enduring than our preferences: unity in love.
Paul reminds us that we are one body, joined by one Spirit, grounded in one hope, led by one Lord, shaped by one faith, and washed by one baptism.
We are different, yes — but we are not divided.
Not in Christ.
And then he tells us something beautiful: each one of us has been given grace — not just to survive, but to serve.
To help build up the Body of Christ.
To help each other grow.
To no longer be tossed around by trends or fears or clever words, but to grow up into Christ, who is the head of it all.
⸻
Reflection
Growing up in love doesn’t mean we stop having questions.
It means we stop using those questions as reasons to withdraw or divide.
It means we speak truth — but do it with love.
We serve — but do it with humility.
We stay connected — not because it’s easy, but because we’re called.
I’ve learned that unity doesn’t mean uniformity.
It means choosing love over ego.
Patience over pride.
And grace — always grace.
When we do that, Paul says the whole body is “joined and held together by every supporting ligament” — and it builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
That’s the kind of community I want to be part of.
One that grows. One that builds. One that loves.
⸻
Prayer
Jesus,
Teach us to walk in a way that honors You.
Make us gentle in our words, patient in our frustrations, and generous in our grace.
Help us to bear with one another — not just tolerate, but truly carry each other in love.
Grow us, Lord.
Not just individually, but together.
Let us become a body that reflects You —
grounded in truth, overflowing with compassion, anchored in unity.
Let us grow up… into You.
In Your name,
Amen.
Amen. Paul was not interested in prestige, wealth, or popularity. He simply wanted to see fellow believers “walk in a manner worthy of God.” He longed to see spiritual maturity. In Paul’s thinking, walking worthy of God meant living in the awareness that we have been adopted into God’s kingdom by grace. We can build no other kingdom. We must not strive to establish an empire of our own, or of our church, or of our ministry, nor focus on success or reputation. Our greatest concern must be to see in our own lives, and in the lives of men and women around us, a devotion to Jesus Christ and to each other, a commitment to holding to His truth and living in unity with His love.