“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
(Ephesians 4:6)
Peace, unity, and holy concord are among the sweetest gifts God gives His people. Scripture speaks of brethren dwelling together in unity as both pleasant and good. The image is rich and beautiful, like dew descending on the mountains, bringing growth and refreshment. In much the same way, true Christian unity carries both delight and usefulness because it reflects something of God Himself.
The apostle grounds this unity in theology rather than sentiment. Christians are called to peace because there is “one God and Father of all,” and the unity of the church grows out of the unity of God. Believers do not agree because of shared preferences, personalities, or earthly interests; they are joined together because they belong to one Lord, one body, one Spirit, one faith, and one Father.
The apostle therefore calls believers to humility, meekness, patience, and mutual forbearance because self-will, self-love, self-importance, and self-conceit are enemies of unity. Moreover, the believer who adores God learns also to pursue humility before others.[1]
The sweetness of unity is in direct contrast to the ugliness of discord. Division wounds churches, families, friendships, and communities. Moreover, Scripture carefully distinguishes godly unity from sinful agreement. Peace separated from truth becomes compromise. Agreement detached from righteousness becomes conspiracy. Men united in evil pursuits become stronger instruments of harm. Their agreement multiplies wickedness rather than goodness, which means we must never pursue peace at the expense of truth or righteousness.
God alone perfectly joins peace with holiness, love with truth, and unity with righteousness. His peace is pure because His nature is holy. The church therefore reflects His divine and orderly design when it walks in peace and mutual love.
And though churches often experience conflict and discord, above all these struggles stands the unchanging God who remains Father over His people, preserving the unity of His church according to His wisdom.
Contemplations:
- The Beauty of Godly Peace. When I experience genuine peace among God’s people, I feel something deeply refreshing in my soul. There is sweetness in shared worship, mutual love, and humble agreement that cannot be manufactured artificially. This passage reminds me that such peace is not accidental but reflects the character of God Himself. I want to value godly unity more highly because it mirrors something beautiful about the Lord whom I worship.
- My Contribution to Discord. I must admit that pride, impatience, and self-interest often make me part of the problem rather than an instrument of peace. I can hold tightly to preferences, become easily irritated, or think too highly of my own judgment. But this passage reminds me that self-love and self-will oppose the peace God delights to bless.
- My Desire for Holy Unity. Not all peace is good peace. I have seen how unity can be pursued at the expense of truth or maintained by ignoring righteousness. Yet Scripture calls for peace joined with holiness. I do not want peace bought through compromise but the kind of unity that grows from shared love for Christ and submission to His truth.
- My Adoration of God’s Harmony. The unity within the church ultimately points me back to God Himself. He governs all things wisely, joins His people together, and preserves them under one Fatherly rule. The order, peace, and beauty He establishes reveal His own perfection. So when I see genuine Christian unity, it causes me to worship the God who creates it.
Prayer (Adoration):
Most blessed and eternal God, I adore You as the one God and Father over all Your people. You rule above all things in perfect wisdom, work through all things by Your providence, and dwell within Your people by Your Spirit. All true peace, order, and harmony flow from You because You Yourself are perfect in holiness and unity.
Lord, I praise You for the beauty of peace among Your people. You have not gathered believers into isolated lives, but joined them together into one body under one Head. Through Your grace, strangers become brethren, enemies become reconciled, and divided hearts are brought into holy fellowship. This displays the greatness of Your wisdom and mercy.
I adore You because Your peace is never separated from truth. You unite righteousness and love perfectly. You never sacrifice truth for harmony nor holiness for agreement. I worship You for such perfect wisdom.
Lord Jesus, I praise You as the Prince of Peace who reconciles sinners to God and gathers Your church together. Through Your blood, hostility is removed and believers are joined into one body. Every true act of Christian unity points back to Your redeeming work.
Holy Spirit, I adore You for Your work in producing humility, patience, meekness, and love within the church. Left to ourselves, pride and division would prevail continually. Yet You soften hearts, restore relationships, and preserve unity among imperfect people. This is evidence of Your gracious work.
I thank You also for the blessing You place upon peace. Your Word compares unity to refreshing dew and precious oil because it nourishes spiritual life and spreads sweetness among Your people. Thank You for blessing churches, families, and believers who walk together in holy love.
Human relationships may fracture and communities may struggle, yet Your purposes stand firm. You continue preserving Your church and gathering Your people according to Your wisdom.
Thank You that all true unity reflects Your glory. Peace among believers is not just practical, it is also worshipful. It reveals something of Your own character before the world. Let my heart delight in the beauty of holy peace because it points me back to You, the one God and Father of all.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Ephesians 4:6:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Malachi 2:10; Romans 11:36; 1 Timothy 2:5
[1] Thomas Gataker, The Christian Man’s Care, (London: John Haviland, for Fulke Clifton, and are to be sold at his shop upon new Fish Street Hill, 1624), 38-41.
