Category: Textual Studies

One of thoughts that I always return to in my own Bible study and reflection is the proclamation that Paul makes in Ephesians

4:4 where he says, “You were called in one hope of your calling.” Of course, any Bible student is well aware of the importance of the number “one” in Ephesians chapter 4. We understand the oneness of God’s perfect plan, and we understand the oneness that we are blessed to be able to have with our brethren in the Lord’s Church. On top of that, we also understand and appreciate the “one” meaning behind our hope.

Christians are hopeful, and we remain hopeful. First off, what is the source of our hope? Our hope stems from one source, Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the savior of mankind.

Colossians 1:27 says, “Christ is in you, the hope of glory.” This thought is expounded upon in more detail in Romans 8:28-29 where the Bible says: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

God understood, in His infinite wisdom, that His creation has one of two paths they can go down. For one, they can be conformed to the world and go down the path of hopelessness, a path where the only reward is pain, suffering, and death.

On the other hand, they can choose the path purchased by Jesus, the path of righteousness and of hope. God created His creation with the desire to instill hope in the faithful, a hope that we do not take lightly.

Secondly, what is this hope and what does it look like?

A.) This is a hope that grants us peace in times of trouble.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18

B.) This is a hope that comforts us when a brother or sister has gone on to be with the Lord.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
Revelations 21:4

C.) This is a hope that brings us joy.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

D.) This is a hope that allows us to love others as Christ loved us and forgive others as we are forgiven by God.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

This one hope covers all things. Let us be hopeful in this hope, and let us carry this hope into the world!

– Winston Smith

So many of us can quote Ephesians 4:4-6, and with good reason. In those three verses, we are shown the intended unity and oneness of the body of Christ. It is a great reminder showing us that God, in His infinite wisdom, has made clear to the world that His people are His people, not divided by differences of belief or ideology, but united in the oneness of God’s word and His love. However, these verses have a prerequisite: to be able to participate in that intended unity, we must individually make it our goal to live a Christian life like Paul shows us in verses 1-2 of that same chapter. 

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”

Ephesians 4:1-2 

Firstly, we love our life as prisoners to the Lord. What we say, we say for God, and what we do, we do with His will in mind. Unlike the haughty, quick to anger, rough, and impatient world, we live in a way that is Christ like and different from what is around us. We are humble, gentle, patient, and we show tolerance with our love, the same “one love” that the body shared, as shown in verses 4-6.

Let us live our lives in the following ways.

1. Let us take it upon ourselves to live our individual lives as described in the first two verses of Ephesians 4.
2. Let us embrace and take joy in the oneness of our relationship to our brothers and sisters, all living as intended and all living for the glorification of God in Heaven!

– Winston Smith