Introduction
We have the misfortune of living in a time of great divisiveness. Our information age has become a misinformation age. Lines have been drawn, and tribes have been formed. Many people who call themselves “Christians” would rather hate their neighbors than love them. In the interest of winning a battle, it’s common for those “Christians” to spit venom rather than restore gently and kindly. Whereas God loves all people, too many in the church today think they can be selective in who they love. Paul would have significant issues with this posture, tone, and disunity.

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 4:1-6 (New Living Translation)

"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all."

Explanation and Reflection
Like today, disunity was a significant issue in the early church. Paul talks about a new way for those who follow Jesus to live.

1. Live Up to Your Calling
   “Live a life worthy of your calling.” Is there not a better calling than the Gospel? Too many people in the church live below their calling rather than living up to the call of Christ on their lives. We would rather beg for the pennies of the world than patiently and faithfully wait for the riches of our eternal inheritance. There is no question that our calling is hard, but it is far greater than the things the world tries to pull us into. To be called by God to live in righteousness is the highest calling.
2. Live by the Right Tone
   Our actions are not the only thing that matters. Our tone matters. We are called to have a disposition of kingdom fruit. As Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Sometimes followers of Jesus get wrapped up in the right things by expressing truth but in the wrong way through a poor tone.
3. Live in Right Relationships
   We are called to live in unity as much as possible. Now, there may be times when we must stand up for the truth or correct someone, and sometimes that causes problems. However, we must first exhaust the path of peace before we rupture any relationships. Paul’s argument for unity here is based on the nature of God. He brings up both the Father and the Spirit to make a case for unity. He also brings up key components of Christian theology, such as the church, the nature of faith, and baptism. For Paul, unity was not just a social issue but a core doctrinal issue. Unity is a pillar of the Christian faith.

As disciples of Christ, we do not get to pick how we treat people we disagree with. We need to exhaust all our efforts toward unity and be peacemakers. Along the way, our tone must always reflect the fruits of the Spirit. If love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), then one of the greatest heresies in Christianity is disunity.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
What person or group of people do you have a hard time getting along with? What is your posture and tone? How can you seek unity with them while not compromising your faith?