Bending Over Backwards

Aim: To live in harmony with Christ, His church, and our new natures.

Doctrine: In light of all that God has done for His church, believers are to strive to perpetuate unity and peace. This is because this is consistent with who we are, in Christ, and because it greatly pleases the God who has made us one, in Christ.

Exegesis: Why bending over backwards for unity and peace is proper: because there is a good reason for unity and peace: we possess a new calling (or vocation) (v. 1); because there is a realistic way to maintain unity and peace: sincere humility (v. 2); because there is a blessed goal behind unity and peace: sustaining what Christ has accomplished in us (v. 3).

Further application: Why today's Pauline exhortation is necessary (in the first place): because our flesh revels against our participation in God's new community, and because God would have us share (with Him) in blessing the church.

Key verse: v. 3 ''...Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.''