Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

I have talked quite a bit on here about how God has placed different callings on each of our lives. He created each of us for a unique purpose in this world. Throughout our lives, God calls us to many different things which we get to walk through each day. However, while it is important to dedicate time to diving into what God calls each of us to, it is important to realize our individual callings are not meant to build ourselves up. The reality is, we are all under one God, united in one spirit, created for one ultimate hope and purpose, which is to further the Kingdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians 12:4, it says “Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God produces each gift in each person.” You see, when God created each of us, He gave each of us different gifts and passions. We each are uniquely made for what God has appointed us to do. Some of us will charge into the ministry of homeless, some human trafficking, some bringing redemption to business, some teaching, some the medical field to bring healing—there are many different ministries we will be called to. However, while we have all been appointed to different callings and positions, we have all been anointed for one hope. This hope is for the Kingdom of God to be not only furthered but brought to completion. Ephesians 4:10-13 says, “ And he himself (meaning Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” We all make up the whole of the body of Christ, and one day we will be reunited with God. Just as Ephesians says, one day we will all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of God’s son, but until that day we need to pursue our calling with the intention of building up the body and furthering the ministry of the gospel. How do we do this?

Ephesians 4:1-5 says “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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.”

It says with humility and gentleness, we live lives worthy of the calling God has placed on us. We are to go about life with patience, interacting with one another in love, and remaining united in Spirit by pursuing peace. We are not created to be a divided people, furthering different agendas—we are meant to be a diverse, yet united body, under one God, with one hope, one purpose, with one spirit dwelling in each of us while pursuing the ministry of the gospel. We are not meant to serve ourselves, but to build up the body of Christ, so that what is done in heaven can be brought down to earth.