The Doorpost: The things believers have in common

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:14-16

In these verses, Paul describes the way the Body of Christ functions when the members are obedient to the Head. It describes the unity and love that result when we have become mature in the faith.

Sometimes Christians, in an effort to achieve unity, have avoided discussing doctrine. “Doctrine divides,” some say. This passage, and the verses preceding it, tell us that just the opposite is true. A right approach to doctrine is the only way we will have true Christian unity. Avoiding it will keep us from maturing with the result that we will be “infants, tossed to and fro … by every wind of doctrine.”

In Ephesians 4:11-13, which we talked about recently, Paul tells us that God has provided spiritual gifts to carry out this process. As we learn the truth together and grow closer to Jesus Christ, we also are moved closer to each other.

Ephesians 4:1-6 reminds us of all the things true believers have in common. Our unity is based on these truths. When we disagree about other areas than these foundational truths, we must carefully study God’s entire Word and prayerfully seek to understand His will. We must be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit, not eager to divide. When we speak the truth to each other, it must be in love.

This is the way Jesus Christ has provided for all the members of His Body to grow up into Him. If we don’t do this, we stifle our own growth in Him and we hinder the work of the rest of the Body.