Equality, Diversity & Unity in Community

One of the channels through which we experience God’s strong grace (His action-love) is koinonia in community. Koinonia is more than socialization. It’s a partnership, a sharing in common of the very life of Jesus, like the interaction within the Trinity as His image-bearers. That is why we are called to a New Testament (which means covenant). In a covenant, people have become one with each other in Christ. The world trumpets our differences; the Bible our equality, than celebrate diversity supporting unity. Eph. 4:1-16 begins with our equality as image-bearers, while valuing all three, leading to mutual ministry, like the Trinity.

1. Embrace Equality (4:2): Paul describes two pairs of transforming responses flowing from an equality as image-bearers (4:2). Since we are equal, approaching others from equality connects. Ephesians 1-3 remove any need for self-protective responses to prove we are equal. We are all image-bearers with equal worth, all still in-process. Now we are free to serve the highest good of others, which promotes trust, the essential soil for community relationships. (1) We know who we are (humility) and respond more like God does (gentle, considering others, not rough or self-assertive). We are strong enough to use our strength for others. If we experience insult or injury in community, (2) we are able to be patient, extending space to unpleasant people. We forbear foolishness in others without whining (when wronged, forgive and do them good).

2. Maintain Unity (4:3-6): Paul then describes a God-birthed, seven-fold unity in 4:3-6. No external uniformity, but rather a foundational unity in which all are aligned with the Lord and so are also aligned with each other. We embrace this seven-fold treasure of unity, and also battle to keep it. Great power has always been released through unity since the Trinity is the most basic element in the universe. Our enemy also knows the power in unity full well. Satan’s primary weapons erode unity by sowing “community breakers” so keep working hard to preserve unity.

3. Celebrate our Diversity (4:7-11): God wants what we willingly give. So Paul calls us to go all-in with God and others with our unique, one-of-a-kind diversity. He has given unique resources to all His image-bearers (represented in part here by spiritual gifts, 4:7+11). Now, this is crucial. In this diversity, Paul includes the same people as in the unity. In other words, the same buy-in is expected of every one of God’s people, not just the smaller number of positional leaders. As one new man, Jesus Christ eliminates the barrier of distinction and creates a community of equals (2:12-22). The passage then points to full participation of each part (4:16) so we dare not hold back whatever part God has given us.

This is Reflection #25 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com