The apostle exhorts his brethren to manifest in their lives the power of the truth which he had presented to them. By meekness and gentleness, forbearance and love, they were to exemplify the character of Christ and the blessings of His salvation. There is but one body, and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith. As members of the body of Christ all believers are animated by the same spirit and the same hope. Divisions in the church dishonor the religion of Christ before the world and give occasion to the enemies of truth to justify their course. Paul’s instructions were not written alone for the church in his day. God designed that they should be sent down to us. What are we doing to preserve unity in the bonds of peace? {5T 239.2}

Paulus formaner sine brødre til i deres liv at åbenbare kraften i den sandhed, han havde fremholdt for dem. Ved sagtmodighed og mildhed, overbærenhed og kærlighed skulle de være eksempler på Kristi karakter og på frelsens velsignelser. Der er kun ét legeme og én Ånd, én Herre, én tro. Som lemmer på Kristi legeme er alle troende besjælede af den samme ånd og det samme håb. Splittelser i menigheden vanærer Kristi religion over for verden og giver sandhedens fjender anledning til at forsvare deres handlemåde. Paulus skrev ikke sin undervisning alene for menigheden i hans tid. Det var Guds hensigt, at den skulle sendes til os. Hvad gør vi for at bevare enhed i fredens bånd?