Unity in the Body

Ephesians 4 represents the shift from an emphasis on what is true to what we are to do. As we enter this shift and have to admit that the way we live our lives does not always fit the calling we have received (v. 1), we still see that 1) we are to keep the unity of the Spirit despite our diversity in gifts given to us by God (vv. 3, 7-8); and 2) we will reach unity when our maturity attains the fullness of Christ (v. 13). There is a unity that is a reality that we need to reflect.  But there is a unity of faith that is still being realized for which we need to keep reaching. The synopsis is: because we are called to one hope as one body, we are to grow as each part does its work. As is put in Evangelical Convictions, 2nd ed. (p. 139): "This is a wonderful body, a body full of variety, with people of all sorts, differing in their interests and skills and gifts, but each playing a vital part in the well-being of the whole."