What Ephesians says about the church

Ephesians 2 has got me thinking about the church again. I've often thought about what it ISN'T - but Ephesians has reminded me what it IS.

Louis Giglio has a brilliant talk on this.  And here is a post from Good Morning Girls on how we are to be unified in Christ - in the church: 

The truth is that where it counts, we are actually all the same. Before we were saved we were no different than the guy on death row.  We all had hearts overflowing with sin and deserving of death, and yet we were all lovingly rescued by the Prince of Peace. We now have the same Father, the same acceptance, the same Holy Spirit and the same eternal inheritance. God does not love one of His children more than another and no matter how annoying we can sometimes be He does not play favorites. In Gal. 3:28 Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Our common salvation should lead us to stop some things and start others.

Because we are one in Christ we must:

1. STOP SHOWING FAVORITISM (JAMES 2:1-13)

Since God does not play favorites, neither should we. Sure there will be some people we click with more than others, but we should truly love one another, extending the same kindness, courtesy and generosity as we would to our dearest friend. We must do this for even our differences are overshadowed by our spiritual unity in Jesus.

2. STOP BEING JUDGMENTAL

If we were to take the time to get to know people who we think are not like us we would begin to realize that we actually have a lot in common. We all struggle with common sins, fears, and temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).  More importantly, we share a common Lord and love for Him. This should move us to stop harsh, unrighteous judgement especially in trivial matters.

3. STOP THINKING YOU ARE BETTER (PHIL 2:3, 4)

We are called to lay our lives down for others. To think of them as better than ourselves. This is impossible if we don’t see how similar we all are. Our sameness kills pride and produces humility. No one is good at everything. In the areas where we excel another might struggle and where we struggle some one else excels. We need to be cheering each other on to godliness. Wherever you excel, serve others. Where others excel, let them serve you.

But we can’t just stop some things without also starting other things. Let me offer three brief words.

1. CHANGE YOUR THINKING

Our theology is the starting point. Keep in mind 1) everyone is created in the image of God and therefore has value, 2)everyone is a sinner in need of a Savior, and 3) in the Kingdom we are all adopted into one family.

2. REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT

Invite people into your life who are not a part of your “group.” This is what God has done for us in Christ, and He calls us to do the same.

3. BE A GOOD FRIEND

Being a part of a family doesn’t always mean happy, smiley faces and sugar sweet words. We must also hold each other accountable. We need to speak truth into each others lives in order to help build each other up in godliness (Prov. 27:6). Of course for this to work we need to be willing to receive correction ourselves. This is what friendship looks like. We are fighting the same enemy and serving the same King together.

Our commonality should lead to unity. Our diversity should serve the body and our Savior is what makes us special. In all of this we find comfort because in the end we are all the same.

I can't put it any better than that.