1353. The Unity of the Spirit

The Unity of the Spirit

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph_4:3).

1. The unity of the Spirit in this age, has a primal significance to the union of Jew and Gentile into one body. This thought of union is quite prominent in Ephesians.

In chapter 2, Eph_2:1 and Eph_2:2 describe the condition of the Gentile believers, when they were dead in sin, and Eph_2:3 shows that Jewish Christians "also" were children of wrath when they were sinners walking after the flesh. Notice how the pronoun changes from "Ye" to "We."

The same chapter, Eph_2:4-6, shows how believers, Jew and Gentile, were "quickened," "raised" and "made to sit" TOGETHER in Christ Jesus.

Eph_2:11-15 show how the Gentiles of the uncircumcision and the Jews of the circumcision were made into ONE NEW MAN in Christ Jesus, and how the middle wall of partition was broken down.

Eph_2:16 shows how God reconciled both Jew and Gentile by the Blood of the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

Eph_2:17 brings peace to both–the Gentiles afar off, and the Jews who were nigh.

Eph_2:18 gives both access unto the Father by one Spirit.

Eph_2:19 declares both to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and members of the household of God.

Eph_2:22 says both are builded together as a habitation of God through the Spirit.

Thus we are taught the first meaning of the words: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," for "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

2. This unity of the Spirit is of vast importance in the Church of God. Paul wrote: 1Co_1:11-13 : "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

Surely such schism, with the accompanying envying and strife, gives proof of carnality and not of spirituality.

Denominationalism and ecclesiasticism, with its sects and divisions, are all due to the fact that believers have walked as men. What havoc these divisions have brought!

Mid the heresies and the departures from the faith, it is impossible for all who profess Christ to walk together. The best we can do is to "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

3. It is of greatest importance to note that the unity we must keep is not a unity based on overlooking denials of the faith. It is the unity of the Spirit. Any unity that is not of the Spirit, is not of God.

Two quotations will be helpful. The first is from the "Sunday School Times," and the second is from an unknown source.

First Quotation: "True love is always intolerant." We cannot really love without being intolerant of all that would injure the loved one. God was so intolerant of sin that "He gave His only begotten Son" in order that, by the shed Blood of that Son, He might deliver men from intolerable sin and its intolerable consequences. The whole message of the Bible makes it plain that whoever wilfully, persistently tolerates things that God cannot tolerate becomes necessarily intolerable to God. What a sad mistake it is, in these last days, when men actually make a virtue of toleration in directions where God makes it a vice. Some one has written, "It is as if people were so afraid of intolerance that they are beginning to have no convictions at all." A great Bible teacher was asked about a certain popular preacher, and he replied with searching insight: "The trouble with Dr.—-is that he is too agreeable; he agrees with everybody." Those who agree with God must disagree with those whose positions and teachings God condemns.

Second Quotation: "Oneness of heart and mind is a larger thing than mere Federation." True unity is based upon the oneness between the Father and the Son, and the Son making it possible, in the Holy Spirit, for believers to be one with Him and the Father. Man's attempt at union is like so many barnacles clinging to a ship. They are identified with it; but they are not part of it. The figure which the Spirit uses is that of the human body dominated by the head. When believers properly recognize the Divine Head, they will recognize each other"

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR