If we want to become mature in the faith individually and also as a community of believers, we must practice speaking the truth in love to one another. Speaking honestly with gentleness and kindness is one of the best ways we can encounter the love of God through one another. This is the way to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. For it says:

When he ascended on high,

he took the captives captive;

he gave gifts to people.

But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. —Ephesians 4:1-16

I. THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED

Living a life worthy of your calling means embodying humility, gentleness, patience, and love in all aspects of your daily life, reflecting God’s character.

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:1-2

II. GOD WANTS US TO BE BUILT-UP, NOT PUFFED-UP

God equips and unites His people through leadership and service so the body of Christ can grow in love and maturity, reflecting the fullness of Christ.

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. —Ephesians 4:11-13

III. SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Speaking the truth with kindness and compassion strengthens relationships, avoids conflict, and builds up the church, reflecting God’s love and truth to the world.

Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. —Ephesians 4:14-16