The Body

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 

Paul encourages the church in Ephesus to “live a life worthy of the calling” they’ve received. His worry is that they might exist in a state of spiritual immaturity—muddling around in the gap between the extraordinary new life offered in Christ and the way they had lived in their own past.

What’s striking is that Paul doesn’t start by urging us toward more religious effort or personal achievement, or offer models of great spiritual and moral achievement. Instead, he calls for humility, gentleness, patience, and love. In other words, spiritual maturity is deeply tied to how we treat one another within the Christian community.

Paul emphasises that we are one body, united by one Spirit, one hope, one Lord. This unity is the foundation of the church. And yet, within that unity, there is beautiful diversity: Christ has given different people different gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—not for their personal elevation, but to equip the church for service and to help it grow in maturity.

The mature church is not just a place where consumer needs are met or sermons are impressive, but where each member plays their part in love and truth. Spiritual growth happens in the context of community—not an idealised version of it, but the real, sometimes difficult, community that God has placed us in.

So the invitation is this: what does your “yes” to the church look like right now? Perhaps it’s showing up consistently, praying with others, serving, or giving. To discern where your gifts might meet the church’s needs. Look outward to what moves you, inward to what you’re good at, and upward to what others affirm in you (if you want to dig deeper, have a look at this article from Tim Keller).

The church needs what God has placed in you—so take your next step, offer what you have, and watch what God builds through it.