Third Sunday of Advent (NTA)

Ephesians 4:1-16
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Eph 4:1-16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

St Paul urges the people of God to work together for the glory of God. God has brought us together in one faith, one baptism, and one body. Just as the Lord God is one, so to are his people. People united together work to build each other up in truth and righteousness.

God has established for his people many different positions to bring people together. These positions are their to help protect the body of believers. Even when St Paul is in prison, he works to strengthen the body of believers. St Paul as a prisoner still proclaims Christ Crucified for the forgiveness of sins.

But you are not to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine or false teaching. God has called people to help guide his ship or help his ship stay on track. But there is only one God, one faith, one baptism, and one truth. God only has one truth, but the many people of God seem to have various truths.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life. Jesus Christ is the one body and one spirit in which the people of God are truly united. It is to him that John and St Paul even while in prison point.