Ephesians 4:1-6
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Within the church, we often talk about unity, meaning that we care for each other as much as we care for ourselves, laboring to keep any disagreement from tearing us apart and striving to be a part of each other's lives.
But how often do we stop to consider that unity within the church is a factor of the Spirit's touch? Paul writes of the unity of the Spirit, reminding us that if we are to be one body of Christ, it is only through the one Spirit which abides with us.
Too often, we try to schedule unity within a church. You know, though potlucks, social events, retreats, etc. We somehow think these actions will draw us together in a special way. And sometimes they help, though just as often, they cause us to grow tired of each other or to shy away once we see each other's sinfulness.
Truthfully, the only way to unity in the church is through unity with the Spirit. Only when the church first focuses on its relationship with the resurrected Christ can we possibly begin to live in unity with each other. As we focus on the Spirit, the Lord works supernaturally to overcome our sinful attitudes towards to begin to make us one. Ultimately, we become the church family, standing with each other in an unbreakable relationship.
And it all begins with the Spirit. God won't do something special in his church until we live as one with him in the Spirit.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I invite your Spirit to draw me and the church where I serve into unity with you. As our focus is on you, will you then draw us together as one within the church. Amen.
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