THE ENIGMATIC CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL UNITY
EPHESIANS 4:1-3
The opening of chapter 4 marks the principal transition of the entire Epistle. As is his custom in other writings, Paul turns from the doctrinal to the practical. Paul recognizes the value of spiritual unity in the church because he had a personal encounter with churches where spiritual unity did not exist, such as the Corinthian church. When there is no spiritual unity in the church, the body of Christ is not fitly joined together as stated in Ephesians 4:16. And when the body is out of joint that means that there is a dislocation to some part of the body that needs to be put back in place, which can be a painful process.
“Unity of the Spirit” means the unity of which the Spirit is the Author. Unity, not merely doctrinal or ecclesiastical, for there may be doctrinal and ecclesiastical unity where there is spiritual separation. It is the unity of souls in Christ. Every one belonging to the body of Christ should diligently endeavor to maintain its unity. This unity is consonant with diversity; the waves are different, but the ocean is one; the branches are different, but the tree is one; the members are different, but the body is one; the stars are different, but the system is one. Paul demonstrates in Romans 12:5, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
If we are going to maintain spiritual unity in the bond of peace, we must be willing to adhere to the precepts of Christ. The only way to adhere to His precepts is to possess a Christ like mind, Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We must see things from Christ’s perspective rather than our own.
Spiritual unity does not abide in the atmosphere of arrogance and pride. Paul states in Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” Selfish motives will erode and tarnish unity in the church, the community, and the home. Personal agendas in the church do nothing to promote spiritual unity, but on the contrary, cause division.
Paul instructs us to walk worthy of our vocation with lowliness and meekness. It is that disposition which does not arraign God and does not avenge itself on man. As regards God, it implies a ready submission to the authority of his Word ( James 1:21), and a cheerful resignation to his providence, as opposed to murmuring and fretfulness (Psalm 39:9). As regards man, the meek will have a calm temper under provocations; he will be “slow to wrath” (James 1:19); he will give “the soft answer that turneth away wrath”( Proverbs 15:1); he will show that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which adorns more than rubies ( 1 Peter 3:4).
If we endeavor to maintain unity in the church, long suffering is paramount. Long suffering is the disposition that leads us to suppress our anger (2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22); and is opposed to that irritability often expressively called shortness of temper, which is quick to show resentment. This spirit is of great importance in the Church, where there may be frequent collisions of opinion, or interest, or feeling, and it waits with patience till the passionate or obstinate see their way to more reasonable courses.
“Forbearing one another in love.” As Christians, we are not to resent injuries or retaliate for wrongs done to us, but are to bear with each other’s infirmities, to cover each other’s weaknesses, to pity each other’s frailties, and to forgive the provocations that we sometimes inflict upon each other. This is to be done, not from a principle of merely worldly courtesy or from contemptuous indifference, but from that love which “suffereth long, and is kind.”
Paul says, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It takes effort to maintain unity. Therefore, it is something that we must work at. The only place where unity requires no work is within the confines of the Godhead. Perfect unity is maintained at all times because of the perfection of the Trinity. But Believers must strive everyday to maintain the treasure of unity.
In many areas of Christendom, we endeavor to be theologically deep, while unity goes neglected and unchecked. We strive for positions but not unity. We build buildings but not unity. We gain fame and prestige, but not unity. We have Baptist distinctives, which set us apart from other denominations, but we are not united ourselves. Many of us practice a variety of things where we pastor. We fellowship with only those who do as we do, and think as we think. Although another brother may not do as we do, or think as we think, if he believes that Jesus died as was resurrected, we should not kick him to the curb. Jesus says in Luke 9:49-50, “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Maybe we need to re-think some of our theology.
