I preached from Ephesians 4:1-16 yesterday. The passage begins with reminding us that our differences, the things that normally tear people apart, pale in comparison the things that unite us. Paul says that the mystery of the gospel is that we’ve been united to God through adoption in Christ Jesus (ch 1), we’ve been united to a new life (Ch 2), and that different cultures have been united into one body, the church (Ch 3).

He says,

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6 TNIV)

Beginning in verse 11, Paul even states that Jesus gave his body “gifts of grace.” These gifts are to be used to glorify God and to build up the church body. When members of the body embrace these gifts and use them to God’s glory and the benefit of everyone else, then the whole church begins to look like Christ, there is a measure of spiritual growth, and the church matures.

As I was wrapping everything up this morning I came across a great quote from one of the early church fathers. I wish I had used it yesterday.

Clement of Rome asks this:

Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ and raise up strife against our own body, and why have we reached such a height of madness as to forget that “we are members one of another?”

That is the $64,000 question isn’t it. If we are called to live as one body with Christ as the head, if we have been united as Paul says, and if walking in this unity brings only good things, the why do we tear each other to pieces?