"Searching the Scriptures and Seeking the Lost"
THE SPIRIT & STANDARD OF UNITY
by Wayne Jones
In its purest form, unity is one of the most beautiful and rewarding ideas known to man. A husband and wife who stand united for life can partake in many rich blessings. A nation that stands united can become prosperous and wealthy. An army that stands united can conquer the most unlikely of circumstances. A congregation of God’s people who stand united on Christ can grow and flourish beyond the expectations of most. A Christian who lives united with Christ can one day be rewarded with life eternal. Truly, unity is precious and rewarding!
In the Psalmist’s declaration (Psalm 133), the prayer of our Savior (John 17) and the pleading of an inspired apostle (1 Cor. 1) we can hear the voices of Scripture promoting and even demanding unity among God’s people. Perhaps the “golden text” of Biblical unity is Ephesians 4:1-6. Within the framework of this text, Paul reveals both the spirit (attitude) and standard of unity.
THE SPIRIT OF UNITY
Understanding of Our Calling (4:1)
Many who claim to seek after Christ and profess to be His followers never truly understand their calling. This calling is heavenly (Heb. 3:1). It is a call to Christ (1 Cor. 1:9). This calling is seen by the way that we walk. The word “walk” is used seven times in six different verses in this book. Collectively they suggest a continual manner of living that is consistent with the Christian life. Achieving and maintaining unity will only be accomplished by those who are serious and dedicated to the call of the Gospel they have received and accepted.
Submission & Strength (4:2)
Paul suggests that the Christian’s pursuit of peace and unity hinges upon two characteristics: lowliness (humility) and meekness (strength under control). Each of these will determine the strength and stability of any union and thus are of the utmost importance when seeking Biblical unity.
Humility (James 4:6, 10) is essential to being Christlike in our attitudes and actions. Christ was submissive from the moment He left heaven (Phil. 2:5ff) until he went to the Cross (Matt. 26:39; John 19:30). Thus, it is demanded of us that if we are going to follow Christ, we must be willing to give up self and pick up a life of submission (Matt. 16:24). The ability to humble ourselves will assist us in the quest for Biblical unity among God’s people.
Meekness, or strength under control, is also required in the heart of one who would seek for unity. As it is often pointed out, meekness does not for one moment suggest weakness. In fact, the word obligates man to take the strength he has and harness it and control it for the good the kingdom and in the pursuit of unity. Personally, I wonder what Christ thinks of those who claim that unity demands compromise, weakness and flattery. The Bible never teaches that such is the case!
Longsuffering (4:2)
Paul’s call for unity was based on the ability to be patient and enduring. We must remember that unity can be had between those who have a difference of opinion on a matter of opinion. It is at this point that longsuffering comes into play. Furthermore, we would do well to remember, at this point, that love does not think evil of other without reason (1 Cor. 13:5). This would include giving the benefit of the doubt or time for investigation before dividing the body of Christ either locally or nationally over a difference of opinion.
Diligent Effort (4:3)
In summation of unity’s spirit, Paul reveals that it will only be obtained when we are willing to “endeavor” to obtain it. Unity will not be had by accident. Unity will not be procured by lazy Christians. On the contrary, unity requires work and effort on the part of all involved. Is this point not obvious in the other situations of unity we discussed earlier?. In the home, in the nation or even in the work place, unity can only be obtained and maintained by individuals who are serious enough about it to strive diligently!
Aafter Paul emphasizes the spirit that produces unity (4:1-3), he then lays out the foundation or standard for unity (4:4-6). When you and I understand and believe these seven fundamental doctrines, we can have the unity for which many are pursuing even today.
THE STANDARD OF UNITY
One Body
The one body is the church for which Jesus died (Eph. 1:22-23). The oneness of this church is in direct contrast to the very idea of denominationalism. While most religious groups claim to belong to a part of the body that has been divided based on man-made doctrines and opinions, those in pursuit of Biblical unity will not adhere to such falsehoods. Because there is but one body, then there is but one Head which is Christ Jesus (Col. 1:18). There is but one Savior for that one body. He, too, is Christ Jesus (Eph. 5:23). Therefore, the “headquarters” of this body/church are in heaven where the Head resides (Matt. 16:18-19; Acts 2:32-33). Those who refuse to believe, teach and practice the Bible doctrine of the one body cannot find true unity as Paul lays it our for us.
One Spirit
The statement denotes unity of doctrine. It is the Spirit Who has carried God’s message to mankind through various inspired agents. David claimed to be verbally inspired (2 Sam. 23:2). Other in the Old Testament prophets were similarly inspired to reveal God’s message (2 Pet. 1:21-22). Likewise, in the New Testament, those who penned its books were inspired of God (Gal. 1:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Therefore, the message of God is consistent and without contradiction. While some wrote under the law of Moses and others under the law of Christ, not one contradiction can be found. What wonderful unity! Yet, some will claim today that the Spirit is directing them to say or write another doctrine which is contrary to what has already been revealed. How absurd! Should we think that for over 4,000 the years the Spirit avoided contradiction, but now has allowed such to take place in Divine revelation? Paul forever settled this argument by stating these words: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).
One Hope
There is only one hope in the calling of a Christian and we all share that one hope. Conversely all who live outside the calling of God have no hope. The very recipients of the Ephesian letter had once been “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). It was only through God’s grace (Eph. 2:8) and their response to it (Acts 19:1-5) that salvation was possible. After those events, the Ephesians who were once lost in sin “have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). Based on these things, the Ephesians now had hope (i.e., desire coupled with expectation) in heaven after this life is over. That is why Paul wrote to them as those who had been given access to all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3).
One Lord
The purpose of this “one” is to show the need for unity in the area of authority. There is a firm standard of authority in most areas of our lives. Two plus two equals four and four plus four equals eight. In the mathematical world these are absolute truths that cannot be changed or altered. Many understand this principle in so many areas, but when it comes to the religious arena they do not apply the same logic.
In the church, Christ has been given all authority (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23). That same authority was handed down to the apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 16:19; John 16:33). They took that authority and wrote it in the Bible (Col. 3:16) so that we might have a perfect guide by which to live. Therefore, the Bible is our only standard, our absolute standard in religious matters.
One Faith
There are limitations that are placed on us by God. While the Bible is much more than a mere listing of “Do’s” and “Don’ts,” it does contain both divine requirements and divine limitations. Christ, Himself, said that the way to heaven begins at a strait gate and follows a difficult and hard path (Matt. 7:13-14). It would be necessary for God to reveal those boundaries so that we might remain on the strait and narrow way that leads to life. The totality of this message is known as “the faith” (Jude 3).
These limitations and regulations are the same for everyone. We are to be unified in what we do and what we practice. That means that all who claim to follow Christ ought to be practicing the same things. There ought to be a unity of practice because we are all to live according to the same system of faith. This aspect of unity’s standard is vital because if we are to walk together we must be in agreement!
One Baptism
There are at least seven different baptisms mentioned on the pages of the New Testament: John’s baptism, the baptism of Moses, Holy Spirit baptism, baptism of fire, etc. However, in this description of unity’s standard, Paul reveals that only one baptism is still in force and is demanded of men today – the baptism of the great commission (Matt. 28:19-20). That baptism involves a burial in water (Rom. 6:3-5) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) so that we might be added to the church for which Christ died (Acts 2:47). Unity is this matter is vital because it’s the only way that man reach the saving grace of the blood of Christ. Every person since Calvary has been and will be saved the same way.
One God
The very foundation of all who believe and obey is rooted in the fact that there is one God in heaven Who rules over all things. In both Testaments God has made it clear that His followers must believe this fact in order to be pleasing to Him (Exo. 20:3). It is based on that faith in the one God of Heaven that we will stand united in all these other areas. Are you seeking for unity? God’s plea and plan for unity are explicitly given in Ephesians 4.