Walking in Unity

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:2-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I took the time to look up each of these main words in the Blue Letter Bible Strong’s Concordance to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of this scripture and how it applies to my daily life.

Humility – a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness; lowliness of mind

Gentleness – mildness, meekness

Patience – forbearance, long-suffering, slowness in avenging wrong

Bear with one another – Endure one another – mutually

Love – agape – affection, good will, benevolence

Eager – endeavoring, to exert oneself, give difference

To maintain – keep, to hold firmly

The unity – agreement, unanimity

Bond – that which binds together

Peace – harmony, concord between individuals

There is one – a single

Body – A large or small number of men closely united into one society, or family, social, ethical, mystical body, so in the New Testament the church, who by the influence of His Spirit works in the church as the soul does in the body

Your call – the divine invitation to embrace Salvation in the kingdom of God

God wants us to walk as one body and unity of His spirit with each other. The only way we can do this is through Him. He enables us to humble ourselves, to be gentle with each other, to be patient, to love. This allows us to have a bond of peace so that we can fulfill our call. I believe that call is more than salvation, but the plan and purpose He designed us to walk out.

Truth about me: I can have a rather gruff personality. I am a choleric personality. I have learned to tame my inner beast but if I’m not careful, it is easy for the negative aspects of my personality to creep out. All the negative aspects of my personality type are contrary to what this passage requires for a believer to walk as one Body in the Spirit.

I know the weakness of my personality; I do my best to curb those negative tendencies. I find often unity is broken because people don’t know my heart. It is hard for people to know my heart, because I have a hard time letting people in, I mean truly in to my world. I own that part, and am trying to allow God to change that about me. However, people also find it hard to bear my abruptness, I am a straight shooter and would rather speak the truth than dance around a sensitive issue. I have also learned just the idea of those negative characteristics of my personality will leave some people keeping me at arms length instead of embracing me in unity. Sometimes I come off stronger than I mean too just because of how I talk. Those who know me well know when I am intentionally coming in strong and can usually tell when I am trying to not exert myself. I know which battles I’m willing to die in and if I am in that mode, very few would question it. But sometimes my lion personality gives a roar that is just sounding loud because the environment around it sounds louder than I ever meant it too.

I have a hard time convincing other personalities that I am aware things don’t have to be my way, that I can have an opinion and can still peaceably go with another option. I can lead, but I also know how to follow. I can take authority, but I also can submit to authority. I can have a vision and still see someone else’s. I can be decisive and yet forgiving if what I decide isn’t chosen. I am not one to carry a grudge. I can be pretty independent but I still like having others around and their help. I want to be in unity with others and I want them to feel at peace with me.

I admit I am still learning how to walk in unity intentionally. I am still learning how to be myself, and yet curb those areas of my personality that cause other’s to question my sincerity. I am learning to let the Holy Spirit guide me instead of trying to take control of a situation. I don’t always get it right. At times I don’t step out where I should because I am trying to curb my nature to take control and want to make sure that it is God leading me and it is not just my own. At times I still try to take control and then have to step back, repent and apologize. I know I want to fulfill my call, and I know that other people will be a part of that call. As believers we are all One Body, we have to figure out our call and work to complete it and compliment those who are walking along side us.

Prayer – Lord I love you and I love people. Help me to let Your Spirit lead me to stay in peace and unity with others. Let me be humble and gentle while still being myself. Let me be patient with others because I need others to be patient with me. Lord in You we are all one. I want every aspect of my life to glorify You. Direct my relationships and my steps.