The Hard Work of Peace

The Hard Work of Peace

As Paul begins Ephesians 4, he presents what might sound like a simple challenge: Walk worthy of the calling you have received. But there is nothing simple about it. Because that calling follows you everywhere. You have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven. You have been raised up and seated with Christ. That’s the calling. And now, here is the Spirit saying - “Live like it.”

1. What Does It Mean to Live Like You’ve Been Called?

   1. Ephesians 4:1: Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

      1. Worthy - axios.

      2. It’s a word referring to a scale.

      3. The question is - does your life match the weight of what’s on the other side?

   2. Paul is making an identity claim.

      1. You are someone who has been called. And that calling follows you everywhere.

      2. Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2. What This Actually Looks Like

   1. Ephesians 4:2: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

      1. Humility costs you your ego.

      2. Gentleness costs you your reaction.

      3. Patience costs you your timeline.

      4. Bearing with one another costs you your preference.

   2. Making Every Effort

      1. Ephesians 4:3: making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

         1. It is as if we are like someone chasing something down.

         2. Peace doesn’t just happen - you have to go get it.

         3. Unity isn’t the natural state of a room full of different people.

      2. Romans 12:18: If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

3. Why This is Worth It

   1. Verses 4-6: look at what you already share:

      1. Ephesians 4:4-6: There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

      2. We are not strangers trying to find common ground. We already have it.

   2. Here is the foundation undergirding it all:

      1. Ephesians 2:14: For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

      2. It all runs back to Jesus. He himself is our peace.

4. As We Close…

   1. The calling is real. The common ground is real. And He himself is our peace.

   2. The only question is… Am I walking like it?

   3. Today is the day to start. Give your life to the one who is our peace.