Lowliness - Greek word - tapeinophrosune, Phonetic Spelling - tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay - meaning humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek.

In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul writes: "With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Unity in church is critical (our unity with Christ and each other) By showing lowliness we build unity. The Greek tapeinophrosune (5012) pictures modesty, humility, and lowliness of mind, having a humble opinion of oneself, a deep sense of one's littleness.

Lets think about that for a second.

It's not a false humility such as, "Oh shucks, I'm not all that great," but rather a deep sense of how little we really are.

God is building a body, a temple. He has reconciled Jews and Gentiles to Himself in Christ.

The oneness of believers in Christ is already a spiritual reality.Our responsibility is to guard, protect, and preserve the unity.

To do this, we must understand this important fact, called the Grace of Unity (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Unity is not uniformity. - Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace, while conformity is the result of pressure from the world around and outside us.

I we are going to preserve the “unity of the Spirit,” we must possess the necessary Christian graces, and there are six of them listed below...

1. Lowliness or humility (putting Christ first, others second, and self last) - (Read - Romans 12:3 - For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.)

2. Meekness (not weakness) - It is power under control - Read - (Matthew 11:29 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.)

3. Long suffering (long - tempered) The ability to endure discomfort without fighting back

4. Forbearance (a grace that cannot be experienced apart from love. (Read - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;)

5. Endeavor (“being eager to maintain, or guard, the unity of the Spirit”) The spiritual unity of a home, a marriage, or a church is the responsibility of each person involved, and the job never ends.

6. The final grace is peace “the bond of peace”

   1. (Read -  James 3:13-4:10) This is the most vivid picture of war and peace in the New Testament

   2. Note: The reason for war on the outside is war on the inside If a believer cannot have a peaceable relationship with God, he cannot have one with other believers.

7. When “the peace of God” rules in our hearts, then we build unity (Read - Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.)