Work It by Larry Perry

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It is a mistake to think this only applies to vocational workers such as pastors, preachers, teachers, deacons and elders. This applies to all of us. I admit there are times when I do not feel my fellow believers are doing their part. Bear with me, as I bear with you. None of us are perfect but we should not allow that knowledge to hamper our efforts to at least try.

Granted the immature in Christ need a little more grace but they also need instruction, correction and discipline. That takes work on everyone’s part to promote that bond of peace. Unity in the Spirit does not happen by accident. It takes work on everyone’s part.

Ephesians 4:4-6 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.

The repeated emphasis on One is unity. You are one part of one body but that does not make you different because we are called to be fitted into place jointly together, so the whole body is not missing any one part.

Colossians 2:18-19  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

We are not made to be more as individuals but rather more together.