Because we have received the calling (Eph 4: 1) We are no longer dealing with potential. We are dealing with actuality.

Scripture: ^{Eph 4:1-6} As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Observation: In this passage Paul is clearly not talking about potential he’s talking about identity. Law carries the idea of potential. If you do these things you will derive life from them (Gal 3:11&12). Identity is a state of being. We’re not talking about potential, we’re talking about actual; who we are. We have received the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Because we have received the calling (Eph 4: 1) We are no longer dealing with potential. We are dealing with actuality. Christ is in us, his righteousness is in us and thus we are able to manifest him and his righteousness. We can be because we are (Eph. 4:2).

When he speaks of keeping the unity of the Spirit, he’s not just talking about us getting along with one another. He’s referring to us us being one with the Spirit of God within us. We received the Spirit when we received the calling. Now we should make sure that we manifest the Spirit who is in us and not our flesh. We are not trying to be good, we are manifesting his goodness which is in us now. If we exhibit arrogance, harshness, impatience and selfishness we are not manifesting who is in us. We need to make sure that we are manifesting who we actually are.

Our body does not have to remain separate from the Spirit. We can submit our body to the Spirit who is in our body. We are not fragmented and seeking to become. We are. God is not a distant God but a present and saturating God. He’s not someone we have to attain. We have him and should demonstrate his Spirit always.

Application: Our tendency when we look at this scripture, as always, is to approach it from a legal mindset. We tend to think Paul is giving us another list of rules that we need to adhere to. We’re not good enough, we believe, so we need to measure up to a standard higher than the one we currently live by. Without exception, we sigh and stiffen our neck to do the things we know we can never fully be.

This mindset denies the work of the cross and the power of God. He has redeemed us. He is in us. His mighty power is at work in us to will and to do his good pleasure. Christianity is not about becoming it’s about living in the actual we are.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help me to resist the lie of legalism that says your work has not been accomplished. Grace me to allow you who are in me to be revealed every day of my life.