Walking Worthy of the Call: The Power of Unity in a Divided World

In a world filled with division and conflict, the ancient words of Ephesians chapter four ring with stunning relevance. The passage begins with a powerful reminder: God is able to do "far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." This isn't mere encouragement—it's a declaration of available power that exceeds our wildest imagination.

Think about that for a moment. Whatever you can imagine God doing in your life, multiply it exponentially. That's the promise. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to believers today, working within us to accomplish things we couldn't dream possible on our own.

The Invisible War and Our Greatest Weapon

We live in the midst of an invisible war. Spiritual forces—what Scripture calls "the princes of the power of the air" and "the authorities and rulers of this present world"—are actively working against believers. This isn't paranoia; it's biblical reality. And in this cosmic struggle, God has given us access to His power to fight back.

But here's the surprising twist: one of our most critical battles isn't against external enemies. It's the battle to maintain unity within the body of Christ.

Paul wrote these words while imprisoned, possibly awaiting execution. Imagine receiving life advice from someone in a prison cell facing beheading. When someone in those circumstances tells you that God can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine, you listen differently. His perspective shifts ours. If Paul could maintain faith and focus on unity while awaiting death, what excuse do we have when facing our comparatively minor struggles?

From Doctrine to Duty

The first three chapters of Ephesians lay a foundation of theological truth—who we are in Christ, what He has done for us, the power available to us. Then comes the pivot: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."

This is the transition from belief to behavior, from position to practice, from holy doctrine to holy duty. It's the "why" behind the "how."

Here's a fundamental truth: right theology leads to right practice. Good behavior follows good theology. If you truly understand the grace given to you, how can you withhold grace from others? If you grasp how Christ laid down His life for you, how can you refuse to sacrifice for those around you?

Knowledge changes behavior. If you suddenly discovered a billion dollars in your bank account, everything would change—your stress levels, your spending habits, your entire lifestyle. Similarly, if you knew with certainty that your team would win the championship, you wouldn't stress about each game along the way. You'd know the outcome.

When we understand our position in Christ, it transforms how we live.

The Bullseye Principle

Here's a life-changing concept: not all beliefs are equally important. Imagine a bullseye target where each dot represents something you believe. The closer to the center, the more essential the belief.

At the very center are non-negotiables: the return of Christ, salvation by faith alone through grace, the reality of heaven and hell, the virgin birth, the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, and the reliability of Scripture. These are worth defending. These define Christianity itself.

But further out from the center? Things like worship music style, Bible translation preferences, end-times theology details, room temperature, or whether church services end on time. Even further out are personal preferences like whether toilet paper rolls over or under, how you squeeze toothpaste, or whether kitchen cabinets should stay open or closed.

The problem arises when we move peripheral issues to the center. When we treat preferences like doctrines, we create unnecessary conflict. We fight about things that don't matter while the real enemy advances unopposed.

In marriages, friendships, and churches, this principle is transformative. When both people adopt an "I am third" mentality—God first, others second, myself third—conflict diminishes dramatically. Those magic words, "I could be wrong," become easier to say when you recognize that most things aren't center-of-the-bullseye issues.

The Four Pillars of Unity

Paul provides specific instructions for maintaining unity:

1. Practice Humility: Put other people's needs before your own. Sacrifice your preferences when they're not essential. This doesn't mean having no convictions; it means knowing which convictions are worth dividing over.
2. Respond with Gentleness: Gentleness is humility in action. It's how we treat others when we disagree. It's the opposite of harsh, demanding, or dismissive behavior.
3. Exercise Patience: This is humility and gentleness during frustrating moments, disappointing seasons, and interactions with difficult people. When we're tired, frustrated, or disappointed, we tend to lose our filter. Everything becomes a center-of-the-bullseye issue. Patience guards against this.
4. Be Eager for Unity: Don't just hope unity happens—pursue it. Protect it. Fight for it. Unity doesn't occur by accident; it requires intentional effort.

Why Unity Matters

Unity isn't just pleasant; it's essential for spiritual warfare. A house divided against itself cannot stand. When believers fight each other instead of fighting the real enemy, we become ineffective.

Consider parents struggling with their children. Often, the root issue isn't the kids—it's a divided parenting team. When parents aren't unified, they can't effectively address other challenges.

The same principle applies to the church. We have one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. These "ones" aren't suggestions; they're realities that should shape how we treat each other.

The Family You're Stuck With

You can pick your friends, but you're stuck with your family. If you're a believer, every other believer is family. That person who annoys you? Family. That person with different political views? Family. That person who prefers different music? Family.

And we're called to treat family with humility, gentleness, and patience. We're called to eagerly pursue peace with each other so we can effectively fight the spiritual battles raging around us.

The power available to us can accomplish more than we can ask or imagine. But accessing that power requires unity. The choice is ours: will we fight each other over peripheral issues, or will we lock arms and face the real enemy together?

The call is urgent. The need is desperate. Walk worthy of your calling. Pursue unity. The battle depends on it.

Looking to grow deeper in your walk with Christ? Join us this Sunday at Fairfield Baptist Church as we continue exploring the book of Ephesians and learn how to stand firm in God’s power together.