As members in particular in the Body of Christ, we are encouraged by God to keep the unity of the spirit. It is His will for us to be united, to keep the spiritual unity that we have by the new birth, so that we can move together in the Body of Christ and receive the blessings. To see the importance of keeping the unity of the spirit, we will look at what spiritual unity is and how we can keep this unity. Then we will see two benefits of keeping the unity of the spirit.
What is the unity of the spirit? Ephesians 4 gives us insight into this.
Ephesians 4:3,4:
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit [spiritual unity] in the bond of peace.
There is one body, and one Spirit [the gift of holy spirit], even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.
Unity in verse 3 can be defined as “oneness.” This spiritual unity was not designed or made by man but by God. God gave each believer the gift of holy spirit at the moment he or she became born again. Once we are born again of God’s spirit, He is then our heavenly Father and we become His children. We are one in the spirit because there’s only one spirit. This gift of holy spirit is the basis of our spiritual unity. God’s children are spiritually one and can move together as we keep this unity.
God declares in Ephesians 4:3 that we are to endeavor, to make a diligent effort, to keep the unity. When we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, we are carrying out our heavenly Father’s will. Since Ephesians 4:3 instructs us to keep the spiritual unity, it must be available! How then do we keep this spiritual unity? A verse in the immediate context of Ephesians 4:3 lists four ingredients that are absolutely necessary to keeping this spiritual unity given to us by God.
Ephesians 4:2:
With all lowliness [humility of mind] and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.
One important ingredient is living with humility of mind. Humility includes remembering what God has done for us. We balance the knowledge of our present strength and ability with the remembrance of what we were before God rescued us.
Philippians 2 reveals more on how we can keep this spiritual unity.
Philippians 2:2-4:
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Having care and concern and showing esteem for one another help us stay spiritually united.
Let’s look at two verses that illustrate benefits that we can see when we endeavor to keep our spiritual unity with one another in Christ.
II Corinthians 13:11:
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
When we are of one mind, keeping the unity of the spirit, we can live in peace. Peace and sweet fellowship can be ours to enjoy as we stand together.
Romans 15:6:
That ye may with one mind [one accord] and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Another benefit to our lives as we remain in one accord is that God is glorified. As we stand together in like-minded cooperation, we bring glory to Him. What a witness for others to see!
We have been spiritually united by what God did for us. He gave each of us as born-again believers the gift of holy spirit. This gift is the basis of our spiritual unity. As God’s children, let’s continue to be mindful of the importance of being spiritually unified. We have seen from God’s Word what our spiritual unity is and some ways we can keep this unity. We have also looked at two benefits of keeping the unity of the spirit so that we can move together. Let’s endeavor to keep our spiritual unity and enjoy living in peace with one another and bringing glory to God.