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“United in His Calling” is a song built entirely on one of the most important passages on Christian maturity and corporate life in the New Testament: Ephesians 4.
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
> with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
> endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
> (Ephesians 4:1–3 NKJV)
Here Paul moves from doctrine to duty, from revelation to responsibility. The first three chapters of Ephesians tell us what God has done for us in Christ. Chapter 4 begins to tell us how we must live in response.
The theme of this passage—and the song—is this:
Unity is not sentimental. It is spiritual. It is rooted in the person of Christ, worked out through the cross, expressed in the local body, and guarded by specific character traits: humility, gentleness, patience, love, peace, and truth.
This passage describes the journey from calling to corporate maturity: from being called by God, to walking worthily, to functioning in our gifts, to growing into a mature body “full of love.”
Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul, most likely from prison in Rome (around A.D. 60–62). He identifies himself in this passage as “a prisoner of the Lord.” Notice: he does not say “a prisoner of Caesar” or “a prisoner of Rome,” but “of the Lord.” Paul interpreted his circumstances through the sovereignty of Christ.
Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor, a center of commerce, idolatry, and occult practices. The church there was largely Gentile, formerly immersed in paganism, magic, and immorality (see Acts 19). They had come out of deep spiritual darkness into the light of the gospel.
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul unfolds:
Having established what God has done, Paul now turns to what they must do. Doctrine must produce character. Revelation must produce responsibility.
He begins with a strong personal appeal:
> “I…beseech you…” (Eph. 4:1)
This is apostolic pleading. Paul is saying, in effect: “In light of all that God has done for you in Christ, I beg you—do not live beneath your calling.”
The context is corporate. He is not speaking merely to individual believers as isolated units. He is writing to a body, a community, a functioning organism. Everything that follows—unity, gifts, maturity, truth in love—belongs to the life of the body, not merely to private spirituality.
The backdrop is spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6 Paul will describe the conflict with principalities and powers. But before he speaks of warfare, he speaks of unity. A divided army cannot win a spiritual war. The devil knows that, and he aims at our unity. God’s answer is a people who understand their calling, walk worthy of it, and take their place in the body.
Let us take two key words from this passage that are central to the message of the song.
### 1. “Calling” – κλῆσις (klēsis) – Ephesians 4:1
> “Walk worthy of the calling (klēsis) with which you were called…”
The Greek word *klēsis* means:
It is related to the verb *kaleō* (“to call”). In the New Testament, “calling” is not a vague religious feeling. It is a specific summons from God. It includes:
So when Paul says “walk worthy of your calling,” he is not speaking only of a ministry role (pastor, missionary, etc.). He is speaking of the entire new life into which God has summoned you: to belong to Christ, to belong to His people, to reflect His character, and to participate in His purpose.
This deepens the song lyric: “lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” The weight is not on your ambition, but on God’s summons. He has called you into His family, into His body, into His purpose. Your lifestyle must match that call.
### 2. “Unity” – ἑνότης (henotēs) – Ephesians 4:3, 13
> “Endeavoring to keep the unity (henotēs) of the Spirit…” (v. 3)
> “…till we all come to the unity (henotēs) of the faith…” (v. 13)
The word *henotēs* means:
Notice two distinct expressions:
1. “Unity of the Spirit” (v. 3) – This is something God has already created through the Holy Spirit. All true believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). We do not create this unity; we keep it.
2. “Unity of the faith” (v. 13) – This is something we must grow into. It involves understanding, doctrine, and shared conviction about the Son of God.
The progression is vital:
The song’s emphasis—“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit”—is not sentimental idealism. It is a command grounded in a spiritual reality already established by the Holy Spirit. Our task is to align our attitudes and actions with that reality.
Let us move through the themes of the lyrics and draw out their theological content, always comparing Scripture with Scripture.
### A. “Lead a Life Worthy of Your Calling” (Ephesians 4:1)
> “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.”
The word “worthy” (Greek *axios*) means “in a manner that corresponds to.” Picture a scale: on one side, the weight of God’s call; on the other side, your conduct.
Paul has described our call in Ephesians 1–3:
Now Paul says: “Let your daily walk carry the same weight as these realities.” Similar language appears in:
A “worthy walk” is not perfection, but consistency. Your lifestyle, relationships, and priorities must correspond to what God has done for you in Christ.
### B. The Character of Unity (Ephesians 4:2)
> “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Paul lists four essential traits:
1. Humility (Greek *tapeinophrosynē* – lowliness of mind).
2. Gentleness (Greek *prautēs* – meekness, strength under control).
3. Patience (Greek *makrothymia* – long-temperedness).
4. Bearing with one another in love.
These are not optional virtues. They are the relational atmosphere in which unity can be kept. Where these are absent, unity is impossible.
### C. Guarding the Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3–6)
> “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
The phrase “make every effort” (Greek *spoudazō*) means:
Unity does not maintain itself. It must be guarded. Peace is the “bond”—the ligature—that holds the body together. Strife, gossip, and suspicion cut those bonds.
Paul then gives seven foundational “ones” that define the unity we guard:
> “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.” (Eph. 4:4–6)
Notice:
1. One body – the universal church of all true believers.
2. One Spirit – the Holy Spirit, source of life and unity.
3. One hope – the ultimate future of resurrection and glory with Christ.
4. One Lord – Jesus Christ, the only sovereign Master.
5. One faith – the common content of gospel truth we believe.
6. One baptism – the initiatory act of entry into Christ’s body.
7. One God and Father – the ultimate source and goal of all.
Unity is not built on personalities, programs, or preferences. It is built on these unshakable realities. Any unity not grounded here is superficial.
### D. Christ the Victor and the Giver of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8–10)
> “However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say,
> ‘When he ascended to the heights,
> he led a crowd of captives
> and gave gifts to his people.’”
Paul quotes Psalm 68:18, a victory psalm. In ancient warfare, a conquering king would lead captives in a triumphal procession and distribute spoils.
Applied to Christ:
The song’s reference—“Notice that it says ‘he ascended.’ This clearly means that Christ also descended…”—emphasizes this: the authority of the gifts rests on the finished work of Christ. They are not human titles; they are the outworking of His conquest.
Every believer has received grace: “each one of us a special gift.” There are no ungifted members in the body of Christ. The problem is not the absence of gifts, but often the ignorance or neglect of them.
### E. The Fivefold Ministry Gifts (Ephesians 4:11–12)
> “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
> Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
These are not merely spiritual abilities; they are people given as gifts to the church, with distinct functions:
1. Apostles – “sent ones,” foundation-layers, pioneers, governmental leaders, establishing doctrine and order (Eph. 2:20).
2. Prophets – those who speak forth the mind and counsel of God, strengthening, encouraging, and comforting (1 Cor. 14:3), and often bringing directional revelation consistent with Scripture.
3. Evangelists – proclaimers of the good news, especially to the unsaved, often accompanied by spiritual power.
4. Pastors (shepherds) – those who tend, feed, guard, and care for the flock locally.
5. Teachers – those who explain and apply the Word of God with clarity and accuracy.
Their common task: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (NKJV). Ministry is not reserved for clergy; it is the calling of all God’s people. The role of leadership is not to do all the ministry, but to prepare the body to function.
The goal: “build up the church, the body of Christ.” As each saint is equipped to serve, the whole body is edified, strengthened, and matured.
### F. The Goal: Corporate Maturity (Ephesians 4:13)
> “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
There is a process “until”:
The standard is not denominational tradition or church culture; it is “the full and complete standard of Christ.” God’s purpose is not merely to save isolated individuals, but to form a corporate body that expresses Christ’s character and authority on earth.
### G. Protection from Deception (Ephesians 4:14–15)
> “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.
> We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”
Immaturity is characterized by instability and vulnerability:
The antidote is:
> “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ…”
Two crucial elements:
1. Truth – clear, biblical, uncompromising truth.
2. Love – genuine, self-giving love.
Truth without love becomes harsh and destructive. Love without truth becomes sentimental and deceptive. The body grows when we maintain both together.
### H. The Functioning Body (Ephesians 4:15–16)
> “…growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
> He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.
> As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow,
> so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
Christ is the Head. From Him:
Notice:
This is the fulfillment of the song’s theme: united in His calling, expressing His life, functioning in our place, building up one another, filled with love.
Let us now move from theology to practice. How do we, in a local context, “walk worthy,” “keep the unity,” and contribute to a mature, functioning body?
### 1. First, We Must Embrace Our Calling
You have been called by God. This is not theory. It is fact.
Practical steps:
Make this a regular confession: “By God’s grace, I choose to walk worthy of the calling with which I was called.”
### 2. Second, We Must Cultivate the Character of Unity
Unity does not begin in the pulpit; it begins in the heart. The attitudes of Ephesians 4:2 must be cultivated deliberately.
Practical steps:
Ask yourself: “Am I contributing to the unity of the Spirit, or am I weakening it through criticism, gossip, or stubbornness?”
### 3. Third, We Must Submit to and Receive Christ’s Gifts
Christ has given gifted leaders to the church to equip the saints. Many believers remain immature because they stay unconnected or unteachable.
Practical steps:
Position yourself under teaching and leadership that will not flatter you, but will form Christ in you.
### 4. Fourth, We Must Discover and Use Our “Special Work”
“As each part does its own special work…” This is not a special few. It is every member.
Practical steps:
Remember: the body cannot be healthy if you are inactive. Your obedience affects others.
### 5. Fifth, We Must Practice “Truth in Love”
Guard yourself against two errors: truth without love, and love without truth.
Practical steps:
When a whole community practices truth in love, everyone grows, and the body becomes a true expression of Christ.
### Proclamation
Say this out loud, deliberately, as an act of faith:
> I confess that I have been called by God.
> I choose to walk worthy of the calling with which I was called.
> I put on humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
> I make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
> I belong to one body, under one Lord, in one faith, through one baptism,
> serving one God and Father of all.
> I affirm that Christ has ascended in victory,
> He has given gifts to His people,
> and I receive the ministries He has set in His church.
> I present myself to be equipped for the work of ministry.
> I accept my place and my “special work” in the body of Christ.
> By the grace of God, I will do my part,
> so that the whole body may be healthy, growing, and full of love.
> I will speak the truth in love,
> and I will grow in every way into Christ, who is my Head.
> Amen.
### Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the church, I acknowledge You as the One who has called me, redeemed me, and placed me in Your body.
Father, I ask You, by the Holy Spirit, to work in me the character of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Expose every attitude in me that fights against the unity of the Spirit. I renounce pride, criticism, and division.
Lord, I choose to be joined to Your people. I receive the gifts You have given—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Use them to equip me for the work of ministry.
Show me my place and function in Your body. Enable me to do my own special work, that others may be built up. Make me a vessel of truth in love, not tossed by every wind of doctrine, but rooted in Your Word.
Bring me, and the fellowship I belong to, into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
I yield to Your purpose that Your body may be healthy, growing, and full of love. I ask this in Your mighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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