Compare the attitudes for unity of Ephesians 4 with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.
[Walk in a worthy manner … ] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).
With all humility, gentleness and patience, be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. … And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).
In your own experience, how would each of the Spirit’s virtues affect friendships? Which is better for relationships? Pride or humility? The proud think highly of themselves and little of others. They like to have their own way. Place two proud people together and you have a recipe for friction. On the other hand, each person added to Christ’s body begins with humble repentance. As the Spirit grows “all humility” in each of us, we become better fitted for harmony within Christ’s body.
Would you rather work with a gentle person or a harsh, overbearing person? Since we all make mistakes, would you rather be associated with a forbearing person or an irritable, resentful person? In times of crisis, which is better, the person with self-control or the person who loses his head? Under stress, would you want a patient person, or a hothead given to outbursts of anger? If you marry, would you prefer your spouse to be faithful or unfaithful, loving or selfish? Which atmosphere is more pleasant, one of joy and hope, or one of anxiety and pessimism? Would you rather live in a household plagued by conflict or one that enjoys the bond of peace? We all know the answers. If even unbelievers can improve attitudes to help relationships, how much more helpful for unity is the Spirit’s fruit grown in humble believers!