Our Christlike, new disposition will become evident in a worthy walk that promotes oneness.

Ephesians 4:2 "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,"

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"Lowliness" - Greek 'tabeinophros'

It means to be selfless, utterly lacking in self-assertiveness. This disposition of Jesus was seen in the ministry of the highly gifted apostle Paul (Acts 20:19 ). Lowliness of mind prevents us exalting ourselves (2 Corinthians 10:13-15 ) causes us to esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3 ). Lowliness of mind will keep us from exalted views of our own importance (Romans 12:3 ). Among the rewards will be knowing God's abiding presence (Isaiah 57:15 ); ability to learn wisdom (Proverbs 11:2; Psalm 51:6 ). God will be able to promote us (1 Peter 5:6 ); and use us as channels of unity in the Church (Philippians 2:1-3 ). Put on this characteristic of the worthy walk (Colossians 3:12 ).

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"Gentleness" - Greek 'tabeinoo'

Being mild-tempered, gentle of spirit. Such a disposition will greatly contribute to unity among Church members. It is the oneness of Christ's gentleness in His people that makes interrelationship real and wonderful. (Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1 ). It is those among us who are living out Christ's spirit of gentleness that can repair and replace those overtaken in a fault (Galatians 6:1 ). The spirit of gentleness makes us careful how we speak of others (Titus 3:2 ). The gentle disposition disposes us to submission to the Word of God, so that its truth saves and adjusts us (James 1:21 ). A gentle and quiet spirit is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4 ). It is an unfading adornment of those who walk the worthy walk.

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"Longsuffering" - Greek 'makrothumia'

The Greek is translated "patient" in the NIV, another aspect of the Lord's disposition in His people. The patience of Jesus Christ was untainted by malice despite provocation (1 Peter 2:21-22 ). His was patient endurance of suffering that involved injustice

1 Peter 2:21 "... leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"

In walking the worthy walk there will be pain, but God will bring good out of your pain, for the Church and to His glory. The more the Lord is given control in Holy Spirit fullness the more you will be able to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:17-18 ).

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"Bearing" - Greek 'anechomai'

Meaning "to put up with and bear with". It is described in Colossians 3:13 as acceptance and forgiveness of one another just as Christ accepted and forgave us. This can only be possible when we are motivated with the power of His love (Colossians 3:14 ). This bearing with one another in love will prevent division and protect unity. Only God's kind of love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit can make us do good to those who wrong us (Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ). Diligence is called for to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3 ). God has wonderfully united us all as believers in the one body of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us makes that unity real. But as members of His body we are to keep, maintain, respect, what at great price has been given to us. The oneness exists, it is for us to strive to manifest it before the world. Where believers walk worthily in the disposition of Christ Jesus, that unity is seen. Life in the Spirit brings personal experience of Him as the bond of peace.

Seven great basic facts of unity are to be carefully guarded.

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"One Body" (Ephesians 4:4)

The Church is an organic whole (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12 ). Believers are the body members and Christ is the Head (Colossians 1:18 ). The body is constituted by a vital union with Christ, and from Him receives its vitality and power. Each member makes a necessary contribution (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ). There are many local expressions of the body of Christ the Church, but there is only one body - and we must take care in discerning that oneness (1 Corinthians 11:29 ) and value our relationship to the whole body, not just some personally preferred local expression of it. All the body should be precious to us, there being only one body.

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"One Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4)

The word "Spirit" is spelled with a capital 'S' because it refers to the Holy Spirit.

	It is by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13 ).
	It is the one Spirit we are given to drink (1 Corinthians 12:13 ).
	It is the one same Spirit but various gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4 ).
	It is the one Spirit with whom we are to be filled (Ephesians 5:18 ).
	It is the one Spirit that produces His own choice fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23 ).
	It is men who do not have the one Spirit, who separate and follow mere sensual instincts (Jude 19 ).

We are to keep the unity of the one Spirit.

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"One Hope"(Ephesians 4:4)

"One hope has different aspects (Ephesians e.g 1:5,10; 2:7). But it is still one hope tied to the glorious future of Christ in which all believers share". N.I.V. Study Bible

	We have been begotten to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3 ).
	We have a hope stored up in heaven for us (Colossians 1:5 ).
	We persevere through rejoicing in this hope (Romans 12:12 ).
	We have hope beyond this life (1 Corinthians 15:19 ).
	We should be ready to give a defense of our hope (1 Peter 3:15 ).
	We, having this hope, purify ourselves (1 John 3:2-3 ).
	We have "one hope" which is confident expectation, even certainty about our future (Titus 1:2 ).

Our one hope unites us.

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"One Lord" (Ephesians 4:5)

	We are owned by our Lord - He is Lord of all - He is especially Lord of His people - we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20 ).
	We call Jesus "Lord" by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3 ).
	He is Lord both of the dead and the living (Romans 14:9 ).
	He is the one Lord in whom we are to glory (1 Corinthians 1:31 ).
	Our service to others must be done as to the Lord (Ephesians 6:7 ).
	It is from the Lord the righteous Judge that we will receive reward (2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10 ).
	He will be manifested as Lord of lords - to Him every knee shall bow (1 Timothy 6:15; Philippians 2:10; Revelation 4:11 ).
	Our unity is expressed by living together under His control as the "one Lord" (Ephesians 4:5 ).

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"One Faith"(Ephesians 4:5)

	It may be said to be the gospel form of doctrine which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17 ).
	It is particularly the active, reliant faith of obedience to the gospel unto personal salvation (Romans 15:18; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 John 3:23 ).
	It is faith in the promise of God (Romans 4:1-3 ).
	It is faith in the given Son of God as personal Saviour (John 3:16-17 ).
	It is the one faith by which we have peace with God - and access into grace (Romans 5:1 ).
	It is by faith in Jesus Christ that we are justified (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:26 ). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 ). The word of faith preached, believed on in the heart and confessed with mouth is the one faith that saves (Romans 10:8-10 ).
	It is personal faith in the only Saviour (Acts 4:12 ).

We have redemption, justification, atonement through faith in His blood (Romans 3:24-25 ). We stand close to the Saviour Jesus Christ by this "one faith" and the more we stand for the one faith the nearer we stand to one another.

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"One Baptism" (Ephesians 4:5)

The one baptism that unites us as believers is baptism by the Spirit into the one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13 ). By baptism in water believers testify to their personal faith in Christ for salvation and identification with Christ,and to being baptised by the Spirit into the body of Christ (Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12 ). Baptism in the Spirit is the enduement of the saved with power for service - a mighty fullness accompanied by supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 19:6 ). Baptism into Christ or into His body at repentance and the New Birth is called "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5 ) because it is the only baptism that saves people and brings them into the unity of the body of Christ.

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"One God" (Ephesians 4:6)

The seventh great bond of unity is the sharing of our God and Father - the Originator of all that unites us. From His heart flows the grace that made us welcome to the heavenly family. Being members of God's family binds us together in unity. He is "over all", no one can rival His sovereignty. He is "through all," giving Himself to us we see His light, love, and goodness shining through one another. "In all," He is at home in us as His living temple, His presence and power, making our oneness in Him the vehicle of His blessing to a needy world. It is our individual and collective privilege to hold to, and enjoy this unity.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you explain the meaning of the four words used in Ephesians 4:2 describing the worthy walk?
2. How is such a lifestyle possible?
3. What fact of our sevenfold unity, in your opinion, is most under attack these days? (Ephesians 4:3-6 ).