“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; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
We generally look at the sectarian world as being the grand violators of Paul’s desire for unity and Jesus’ prayer for the same in John 17. Denominationalism certainly is the epitome of division and discord. We need not, however, look beyond ourselves in the Lord’s church for some of the most flagrant infractions of this divine injunction. It is a real eye opener when you see brethren who are not divided by any particular matter of faith, but are so separated in heart and spirit as to “bite and devour one another” (Galatians 5:15). They seem to be living examples of the very spirit of malice and bitterness that surely they preach against from time to time. If so, what hypocrisy!
It makes me wonder sometimes how hard we, as brethren, really strive for unity and peace. Paul said, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans12:18). Surely it is much more possible than some brethren seem willing to make it! In order to see clearly our duty in this matter, I would like to analyze verse three of Paul’s plea for unity in Ephesians 4.
1. “Endeavoring” — to be zealous; to be diligent. It speaks of a determined effort. That is, we must do our utmost in the pursuit of peace (Romans 14:19). Sometimes that means rising above the attitudes and actions of others. If others will quarrel with us, we must make every effort not to quarrel with them. If others will treat us spitefully, we must not treat them spitefully in return. How much effort do we put into unity?
2. “To keep the unity of the Spirit.” The word “Spirit” here may refer to the human spirit, and carry the idea of disposition, being the spirit of humility and obedience to the word of God. It certainly means that Christians should be united in heart, and not be split up into factions and parties. False teachers sever unity in areas of faith — breaking our oneness in doctrine (Ephesians 4:4-6). Some by immoral conduct block unity by their lives (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). What, however, is the justification for brethren of like precious faith and practice to blackball and condemn one another in areas of opinion or lesser offenses? And where are the attitudes of “lowliness, and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” that should prevail in such situations?
3. “In the bond of peace.” Peace is a bond that unites people of different dispositions into a society of friendship and love. A peaceable temperament and conduct bind brethren together, whereas discord injects the poison of distrust and disunity into our relationships as brethren. Let’s strive for unity and thrive on peace, not on discord!
