The letter of Paul to the Ephesians church spoke copiously on the need to live in unity with one another, especially as God’s children. The letter made it clear, right from the beginning, that God wants unity. His purpose is “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” Ephesians 1:10.

Different forms of human relationships that function only through unity were listed and discussed in Ephesians. For example;

• Husband –Wife Relationship Ephesians 5:22-33

• Parent-Children Relationship Ephesians 6:1-4

• Master-Servant Relationship Ephesians 6:5-9

• Church Leader-Laity Relationship Ephesians 6:21-22

All these relationships can only function on the wings of unity. We are commanded to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” Ephesians 4:3. In other words, we must intentionally work at ensuring that we remain united despite our differences.

How then does God want us to be united with each other?

• In the spirit of respect: Without respect for one another, it is impossible to remain united in any relationship. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This is another way of saying, “Respect one another.” Respect is reciprocal; we have to give respect to others irrespective of their age, status or color and not just receive from them.

• In the spirit of brotherhood. For example, the master is commanded not to threaten the slave or servant but treat him as a fellow servant since the Lord is the master of both of them Ephesians 6:9. This can only happen when the master views the slave as a fellow brother in Christ and not just a servant under him. The unity will be further strengthened when the servant doesn’t feel intimated or insure in the presence of his master.

• In the spirit of reference to God: Ephesians posited that all relationship will function in unity when individuals involved are subject to God. The reason for disunity often stems from the fact that we don’t give due reference to God. You can’t possibly put up a fight with your spouse knowing very well that you can’t stand before Him with grudges in your heart against someone else. When wives see the Lord as the head of their husbands, they will submit Ephesians 5:22-24. Husbands are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church Ephesians 5:25-32. Servants are not serving their masters but the Lord while masters also remember the Master when relating with their slaves Ephesians 6:5-9.

• In the spirit of equality: Jesus Christ “has made the two groups (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… his purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of two, thus making peace” Ephesians 2:14-15. This is to create unity and equality; that no race, color or status is superior to the other. In Christ, there is just one humanity. There is no black or white, Latino, Asian, Caucasian or any other ethnic group; just one new humanity.

The book of Ephesians also made it clear that God also wants us to be united with one another in the spirit of oneness Ephesians 4:4-6, forgiveness Ephesians 4:32, love Ephesians 5:2 and fairness Ephesians 6:9. Even if the world cannot live up to this standard, the church must work hard “until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13

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