Articles
Preserving The Unity Of The Spirit – Eph. 4
Preserving The Unity Of The Spirit – Eph. 4
Paul exhorts brethren to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 2:3). Such unity EXISTED because it was God’s creation as He, the ONE God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all, added the saved TOGETHER in ONE BODY by the working of ONE Spirit as each responded to the ONE call to ONE hope in believing in the ONE Lord according to the ONE faith and were all baptized into Christ in ONE baptism. Having been united together by God, WE are to now be diligent (to work, to strive) to MAINTAIN this unity. We are brethren TOGETHER.
Even as you read this, many will have already jumped to the ‘exception’ – “but there are times when we must draw a line”. TRUE, but such follows our working to exhaustion to maintain the unity of the body. This is not denying that sometimes a division and separation must come, but rather it is an appeal to making the goal one of finding a way for peace. We are to pursue peace (Heb. 12:14); as far as possible we are to be at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18); the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17); we are to pursue the things which make for peace (Rom. 14:19); God has called us to peace (1Cor. 7:15); we are to live in peace (2 Cor. 13:11; 1Thess. 5:13); we are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15). This peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
Paul here instructs that such peace comes from people that have the mind of Christ towards each other and self. We must WALK with all humility, gentleness and self-control, exercising patience and long-suffering towards each other, and thus we are to love one another with a pure heart fervently. Without these (and other qualities of godliness) we will be puffed up and divisive in our spirits.
Are you looking for an opportunity to be divisive or are you diligently striving to preserve unity of God’s people?
Hugh DeLong
