Ephesians 3:20-21 English Standard Version
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Are these verses to be a preamble? While powerful and true, are they a preparatory statement for what follows?
Ephesians 4:1-6 English Standard Version
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Up until this point everything that has happened in us was about change. Being this new creation in Christ was about discovering who we are in Christ. Now seeing that we are just one part of the universal body of Christ, it becomes a matter of unity of faith and working with others. Acknowledging that Christ is in others is necessary for unity of the Spirit.
We need not have faith in others but faith in the One who abides in others. Being over, through and in every member of the body of Christ means much more than just being a church member. Trying to do all that is spoken of in verse 2 is impossible without the preamble from chapter 3. It is God in us that not only allows it to happen, He causes it to happen.
We are just willing cooperative body parts.