The 7 One's

We have reached chapter 4 of the epistle to the Ephesians. Unlike other Pauline epistles, so far there are not any Old Testament quotations. Does it mean the congregation in Ephesus was not familiar with the Old Testament? Most scholars agree that this epistle was written later. The theology is more mature. Therefore, does it mean that Paul had moved away from his earlier Pharisaic style when he wrote the Ephesians?
Today, we are reading Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul was telling the Ephesians to live in harmony and unity. So, does it mean that, like the Corinthians, the Ephesians also suffered from factionalism? Although this epistle does not hint at such divisions as those in Corinth, Paul stressed a lot on unity. Within the three verses of 4:4-6, he mentioned 7 unity items:
one body, one Spirit and one hope (4:4)
one Lord, one faith and one baptism (4:5)
one God and Father of all (4:6)
The redeemed believers form one congregation, sustained by one Holy Spirit. They all share the same hope about the end of the world. They have the same leader and Lord, the same sets of beliefs and all have received the same baptism. Their God is one who is their heavenly Father.
However, in reality, Christians are divided. Nowadays, there are more than 200 Christian denominations, each claiming to be the only authentic church, each holding on to a sub-set of the whole truth. Yes, they have the same leader and Lord. Yet, they keep on attacking each other in the name of their Lord. They disagree on nearly every tenet of their faith, acknowledge no other's baptism except their own. In short, some churches refuse to participate in the ecumenical movement. Paul's advice remains an ideal. What goes wrong?
Paul asked the Ephesians to conduct their life in the following manners which help to build up and maintain unity.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Are Christians not humble and meek enough? Are they not patient, not forbearing enough? Are they not eager to maintain the hard-earned unity of the Spirit?
Even if not all Christians satisfy Paul's requirements, I am sure there are more than 10 Christians who can do the requirements above. Perhaps not enough humble and meek Christians have responded to God's call to form a critical mass to start the unity ball rolling. It is a pity that the longer the division, the slimmer the chance to achieve unity.

My dear Advocate, factions and divisions are nothing new. The Church had survived division in the past. Let's pray for the Church that she may improve day by day, so that the world is able to reconsider her works. Amen