It was the prayer of Jesus (John 17). It was the plea of Paul (Ephesians 4). However, it remains perhaps the single most elusive goal of all Christians. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Or at least from the experiences of Christians for the last two thousand years, how good and pleasant it would be if brethren would dwell together in unity. It seems that unity among God’s people is something that everyone claims to want, but relatively few are actively working to bring it about. Some of the most active advocates of “unity” are not working to bring true unity, but rather union among differing sects. When we talk about true unity it must be unity based upon the Biblical standard of unity: “one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, on baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Unless there is a common belief pertaining to these Divinely inspired points of unity, unity does not and cannot exist no matter how much it is claimed. It is in the phrase that comprises our title that we find two points of specific interest as to the acquiring and necessity of true Biblical unity.
First, Paul references “the unity of the Spirit.” So many place emphasis upon the bond of peace, but few recognize the full import of the unity of the Spirit. Vincent says this is a unity “wrought by the Spirit” or made possible by the Spirit. But in what way does the Spirit make unity possible? In John 14, Jesus promises the apostles that upon His departure the Father would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, with a particular purpose: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (vs. 26). What purpose was this? He would unify the apostles by His revelation of truth. And because the apostles all had the same gospel revealed to them, they would then teach and practice that same gospel and unity would be enjoyed. The reality is that the Spirit, in a general way, has made unity possible among us today similarly. While a difference exists in how that truth was and is revealed (directly to the apostles, but indirectly to us through the scriptures), unity is still based solely upon one’s allegiance to truth.
The Bible is the Spirit inspired, God-breathed, Divinely revealed word of God. Peter indicates that in their writing “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). Paul taught that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). David claimed that “the Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2). There can be no clearer case made for a Biblical truth than the case for the Bible’s inspiration. And these scriptures inspired by the Spirit have a particular purpose: “…and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16b-17). They are written and recorded for our learning and living. All men are amenable to the laws of God, and when all men will submit to those laws, we will be as the first century Christians who “all that believed were together, and had all things common” (Acts 2:43). That is a picture perfect example of a people who were truly committed to the unity of the Spirit. They knew it was contingent upon them all believing the same things and having all things common. How is such unity going to be achieved? It will not be according to man’s devices because they will do nothing but tear and divide. There must be a common standard to which we all hold ourselves accountable, and that one standard must be the Spirit inspired word.
Then, Paul makes mention to the “bond of peace.” Peace is the bond that exists among God’s unified people. Strong’s defines this peace as “quietness” and “rest.” Have you ever known such to exist among God’s people, much less in the world as a whole? It simply has not been the case, virtually since the earliest days of the church. Each of us can point to turmoil and strife which seem to be common, but how often does peace reign among those calling themselves Christians? Why is such a bond of peace lacking? Because the unity of the Spirit is lacking. Where there is no unity, there can be no peace. Where there is no peace, it is because there is no unity. Neither scenario pleases God, thus we fail when peace fails. Unity and peace among God’s people must be our foremost concern because all other responsibilities we have are contingent upon them. God cannot be pleased without unity and peace. He cannot be worshipped correctly without unity and peace. The world cannot be reached without unity and peace. They must consume our aspirations as Christians. If they don’t, do we care?
Are we endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? If so, why are our efforts failing? If not, why are we so unconcerned with God’s greatest command?
-Andy Brewer
