How Are We Supposed to “Keep the Unity of the Spirit” in This Dark World?
You may have been a member of the boy scouts, coach of a soccer team, teacher in a high school, or part of an army battalion. All of these organizations require that the members work together to accomplish a common goal. Even the coaches of opposing soccer teams must be unified to make the soccer season a success.
For instance, they need to agree on a final schedule, a fair set of rules, help to choose unbiased referees, etc. Those involved will experience success according to the degree that they can be united on game essentials.
God’s organization, the one body of Christ, requires much more. How we keep the unity of the spirit influences every aspect of life, from the day we were born again until the day of Christ’s return, our gathering together unto him.
Ephesians 4:30 [The Amplified Bible]:
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].
But We’re All So Different
Every born again believer has received the free gift of holy spirit, the unifying and distinguishing mark of each member in particular in the one body of Christ. We are all of “one spirit.” However, as indicated by the verse above, I did not receive a perfect heavenly body, or a perfectly “renewed” mind; I did receive God’s perfect gift of holy spirit. So now it’s up to me (and each of you, dear brothers and sisters) by my own free will to line up my body and mind with God’s will as revealed in the God-breathed Word. Why? So that I can be pleasing to my heavenly Father. And here’s the kicker: we’re supposed to help each other do this!
But each of us has a different level of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the Scriptures. Sometimes we agree and plenty of times we don’t. So who’s to say, “Thus saith the Lord” and then get the rest of us to agree—not only in doctrine but also in heart and in practice? And how are they going to accomplish that? In other words, how are we supposed to keep the unity of the spirit in this dark world?
Getting It Together in the Body of Christ
The Biblical answer to these questions, believed and put into practice, could have prevented the loneliness and isolation, the bitterness and betrayal, the anger and alienation, of many a believer—even the break up of marriages, families, churches, and countries. And yet, the answer is a simple one. It’s found in the following verses.
Ephesians 4:1-3:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
John 13:34,35:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
I John 3:16,23:
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
God’s Love for Us
There’s the answer! It’s simple—love one another with the love of Christ. It’s simple, but it’s deep. And it’s not always easy. God’s Word is our textbook for a lifetime pursuit of learning, living, and loving others with the love of God. So for now, please note that who we first love with the love of Christ is…..each other! But what about the lost, those still dead in trespasses and sin? John 3:16 says that God so loved “the world.” Isn’t that everybody and anybody, born again or not? A verse in Galatians clarifies this.
Galatians 6:10:
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Who’s First?
We “do good unto all,” but especially unto the household of faith. That’s the priority—each other in the body of Christ. Wouldn’t you love to be a part of an organization where everyone took care of each other with the love of Christ? Sure, things would come up—arguments, annoyances, condemnation, pride, fears, selfishness; we all still live on this earth. But as each is handled with the love of God, our strength in unity would grow stronger and stronger. That’s what we’re called to do. And that’s what the world will see.
John 13:35:
By this shall all know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
To love one another with the love of God is the most challenging and the most rewarding endeavor on earth, but we are up for it. We accepted God’s love in His Son, Jesus Christ, so we’ve got plenty of love to give. Let’s see just how much we can love each other before Christ comes back. It won’t necessarily be easy, but I’m thankful to be in it together with you!
NEXT TIME: Is God’s Love Judgmental and Narrow-Minded?
