There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call (ESV)

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called (NIV)

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (NLT) 

Dive Deeper:

Differences, not Divisions

There is something that happens in any given relationship that can either strengthen it or even tear it apart. It all just depends on the perspective and motivation of those in the relationship. When you begin dating someone, it’s often due to an initial attraction and found similarities. As you remain with this person, hopefully into a marriage covenant, something else begins to happen. Your similarities begin to fade, and your differences become more stark and apparent. Now, like many good things, the world will tell you this is a bad thing. Certainly, it can be, but that’s only if you make it one. When we are wed to someone in covenant, it’s for the sake of mutual growth and flourishing, and with flourishing comes someone who will challenge you, whether through words or actions. That with their way of living, you both may be transformed into a greater likeness of one another and of God. This paradox is also found in the Church, and the question is, do you let your differences cause division or greater unity and flourishing?

In this verse and the following, Paul tells us that we must have a few certain things in common. The few things he lists are one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, and one gift of grace through Christ’s sacrifice. Doctrine is certainly important. But even Paul knew its danger because division was happening all around him just as it is happening around us even now. A few verses later, he says let us not be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

One Body

The world and mankind will seek to pull you apart from The Body, to pull you limb from limb. Through compelling wisdom, deceitful schemes, hope in the present, or earthly kingdoms. The weapon of the world is division, and since the beginning, it has made war on the church. But there is a glue more powerful than this sword. The glue is Jesus. In him, every joint is securely and properly held together so that we may grow together. We will not transform the world by merely growing our personal faith or beliefs. Growing in the likeness of Christ is vital, but Scripture reminds us over and over again that it doesn't happen alone. Just like Jesus, retreating to the quiet place is necessary, but so is returning to the body and being unified in community. True unity takes place when we realize our differences are our greatest weapon when used properly. When the eye doesn’t try to be the ear, and the right pinky doesn’t try to be the mouth. When each part knows the responsibilities of others and of itself, the body builds itself up in love, and we are made one. Through our differences, we are transformed rather than divided, and through our shared true belief in the Spirit who is in us, the Father who loves us, and the Son who offers us grace, we are made one and held together at every joint. 

We are saved into a body to grow the body. In a day and age that is laser-focused on “personal relationship” with Jesus and “self-help,” let’s not forget what it means to live in the body. Jesus' blood was shed for you; this is true, but more than that, it was shed for the whole body. 1 John 2:2 says, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also the sins of the world."

Written by Blake Stanley

Challenge:

The call on our lives as believers is “togetherness.” 1 John 2 says that if we claim to be in the light and yet hate a brother, we are actually in darkness. In order to truly be in Christ, we must be in His Body. My challenge to you this week is reconciliation–maybe the most difficult challenge yet. Who came to mind? Maybe you’ve wronged someone, or maybe someone has wronged you. We are called to forgive as Christ has forgiven us, a mighty call that, apart from Him, is impossible. Seek forgiveness, seek unity, and live in the glorious light you were called to!