How to Walk in Unity
Living out our identity in Christ
The book of Ephesians calls on us to embrace our identity in Christ and live in a way that reflects His character. In the first three chapters, Paul lays a theological foundation, reminding us of the grace we have received and the unity we share with others in Christ. The last three chapters shift the focus to application—how we should respond to these truths. Paul exhorts us to "walk worthy of the calling" we have received (Ephesians 4:1), Which means that our lives should match our identity in Christ. Because He has transformed us, we are now called to live in a way that reflects His goodness.
A key theme in these chapters is the idea of “walking.” Paul describes the Christian life as a journey with distinct characteristics. He teaches that we are to:
Walk in unity (Ephesians 4:1-16)
Walk in uniqueness (4:17-32)
Walk in love (5:1)
Walk in the light (5:8)
Walk in wisdom (5:15)
Walk in the Spirit (5:18)
Walk in warfare (6:10-13)
Walking Worthy (Ephesians 4:1)
Paul’s call to walk worthily means that there should be harmony between one's identity in Christ and one's daily life. The word “worthy” suggests counterbalancing—our actions should align with our faith.
Our calling in Christ is significant:
It is a high calling (Philippians 3:14)
It is a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)
It is a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
Such a calling requires an appropriate response. We don’t just acknowledge our new life in Christ—we live it out.
How to Walk (Ephesians 4:2)
Paul begins by focusing on attitude before action. He emphasizes that before we can live rightly, our hearts must be transformed. He highlights four key attitudes that should shape our walk:
Humility – True humility means seeing ourselves rightly in light of Christ. Older translations use the word lowliness, reminding us that we are nothing apart from Him.
Gentleness – This is a mild disposition that avoids harshness or retaliation. The Greek word here is often associated with a gentle breeze—refreshing rather than destructive.
Patience – Sometimes translated as long-suffering, patience is necessary in three areas:
In difficult circumstances
In relationships with others
In waiting for God’s plan to unfold
Forbearing Love – To forbear means to suppress with silence or to cover sins with love (1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12). This kind of love makes room for failures and fulfills the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15 and Luke 6:28-29.
These attitudes build upon one another:
Humility leads to gentleness.
Gentleness leads to patience.
Patience leads to forbearing love.
Walking in Unity (Ephesians 4:3)
A life that reflects Christ will result in unity among believers. Paul instructs Christians to make every effort to keep unity. This means that unity is not automatic—it requires constant work and commitment.
Importantly, we do not create unity—the Holy Spirit does (1 Corinthians 12:13). Our job is to preserve it by walking in love, humility, and patience. Unity is both personal and spiritual, and it is a reflection of our shared identity in Christ.
Living Out Our Calling
Walking worthy of our calling is a daily commitment. It means aligning our actions with our faith, cultivating Christlike attitudes, and striving for unity in the body of Christ. As we walk in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and the Spirit, we reflect the life-changing power of Jesus to the world.
Important Takeaways
If self is at the center, we will never know unity. When we dwell upon our feelings, our prestige, our rights, and our place, unity will never happen. Everything Paul speaks about in these verses involves the doing away of self. There is no other option.
Unity is a gift, not a product. If we look primarily at externals, form, and practice, we will begin to believe unity is achieved by uniformity … that we are practicing it through compliance. This is not the Biblical model. Remember, when Jesus looks at the church, He sees blood-bought believers who justified Himself. See Romans 8.30. He looks at us as those He works in for ongoing sanctification. Ultimately, He looks at us as the people He is leading to be glorified for all eternity. May we all see each other through the eyes of Jesus, not with our human preferences and preferred ways of doing things.
Unity takes the first step. Someone once said unity occurs as naturally as a two-year-old who shares. This is why Paul says we must make every effort to keep it. We are called to love others first and to celebrate the good God is doing in them rather than waiting for them to come to us when they have figured out where we stand, theologically or philosophically. Christians need to be the ones who make every effort to engage others and build bridges … not putting up walls and burning bridges. God has called on us to do this.
Will we have the faith to follow?
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