“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB)
When we think of the number “one,” we normally think of it representing not much or not enough. We think of the minimum or the beginning. In reference to relationships, “one” is a positive thing when we are sure we have met the “one.” Or again in regard, to relationships, the individual who has yet to find the person God is sending them, they think “one” is the loneliest number in the world. That individual has overlooked that believers are never alone and that the Lord will never leave them or forsake them. And they also overlook that sometimes you just have to wait while the Lord guards your being and simultaneously gets your eyes to look for holiness and not some handsome or beautiful find that will decline in foolishness.
“One” can carry with it some negative connotations or meanings. We see “one” dollar as not enough and not much, when in fact you are more blessed than someone who does not have a cent. To be allowed just “one” ride at the amusement park or carnival when we were young kids was a tease at the least and travesty at the most. When an authoritative figure kept their word spoken in their prior warning of “’one’ more time,” we cried foul or unfair, and in the case of parents, we echoed the sentiment that parents just don’t understand. How about this one? Someone offers you a taste of their snacks, let’s say from a gigantic bag of chips in your eyes, a bag so full it was about ready to burst at the seams, and with their offer they, caution you to just take “one.” That “one” surely made matters worse in more ways than “one.”
Let’s look at “one” from a positive perspective, a divine point of view that can help us see how “one” can be of benefit in our spiritual lives and even eliminate or prevent us from disturbing or destroying unity or oneness with other believers. Here we go! From the verses above we learn there is “one” pertinent, prescribed Christian walk. We must walk worthy of the calling in which we have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When we reflect “one” in that way, we will contribute to positive things happening in our family interactions, fellowships of believers, and friendship circles
Paul refers to “one” as he continues in the fourth chapter of Ephesians. See what he has to say below, written under the inspiration of God, and let it move you in the “one” specific way it is intended to move you. Have a great day off! Be blessed!
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:1-7 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King