Keep the Unity of the Spirit

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through
the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

There is a unity in the Spirit. We become part of that unity
at the instant we are born of the Spirit.

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to
one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians
4:4-5).

This unity is a reality! We are to make every effort to keep
it. We cannot establish it. It is true already by virtue of our being born into
the body of Christ.

Here are few of the ways we destroy this unity:

·      
We become men followers (1 Corinthians 1
& 3).

·      
We seek followers for ourselves (Acts
20:30).

·      
“We have the best church government.”

·      
“We have the best form of worship.”

·      
“We have the best doctrine.”

·      
“Our teaching on holiness is the right
teaching.”

·      
“The meaning and form of our church’s
sacraments/ordinances are most correct.”

·      
“Our view of the gifts of the Spirit is
the biblical view.”

·      
“We are the true church of Christ.”

Even if any of the positions we hold happen to be right from
God’s view, we might be in sin anyway because of how we hold them.

If all Christians of all cultures and nations were in 100%
agreement on all practices and doctrines, both primary and secondary, many of
the Christians would not like it. Why? Because none of us could then be the most
right. We want to be exclusive, not inclusive.

We are saved by grace through faith. Entrance into the body
of Christ is by rebirth; however, joining a local church is in many cases more
difficult than getting into the real church.

Here is where our focus ought to be in our relationship with
other Christians: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through
the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading
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