The Work of the Spirit: Creating Unity

May 28, 2024

Unity among brethren is very important to God. Jesus, just before going to the cross, prayed for unity.  He prayed, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 NASB95)  Jesus wants all who believe in Him to be one.  Yet division exists, both within congregations and between congregations.  How can we achieve the oneness that Jesus so fervently prayed for?  From where does unity come?

Unity in the church is a work of the Spirit of God.  Paul urged the church at Ephesus to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 NASB95) Unity is created by the Spirit.  We must make every effort to preserve the unity that He created.

How did the Spirit create unity?  It is the Spirit who placed us into the one body of Christ.  “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13 NASB95) When we were baptized into Christ, the Holy Spirit transferred us into the one body, the church.  This was done by His power.  We were made to drink of the one Spirit at that time.  Each one of us in Christ has become a partaker of the one Spirit, and because of that, we are one.  The problem is that sometimes we let our flesh rule instead of the Spirit.  When this happens, unity can quickly be destroyed.

The Spirit not only creates unity in the church, but He helps us maintain unity as well.  How so?  First, understand that the Spirit gave us the word and helps us understand the word. (1 Corinthians 2:13-14) Understanding the word is absolutely necessary for unity.  We must be unified on truth.  Second, think of the fruit that comes from the lives of those walking by the Spirit:  Love, peace, patience, gentleness, self-control, among others. (Galatians 5:22-23) These Spirit-given traits always preserve unity.  It is when we fail to walk by the Spirit that we find enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, and things like these (Galatians 5:20-21) These things are certainly not of the Spirit of God, and they always destroy unity. 

May God help us to preserve the unity that the Spirit has created among us.  Let us walk by the Spirit, be unified in our love of the truth, and enjoy the rich blessings that come from brothers and sisters walking in unity.

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Preserving Unity and Peace

January 6, 2023

Unity and peace among brethren must be cherished and preserved. One of the most important objectives for each of us is “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 NAS95) Peace among brothers and sisters in the Lord must be nourished and protected. We need to make every effort to preserve the unity that the Spirit has created among us.

What are some things that promote unity and peace? Paul wrote in the previous verse, “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:2 NAS95). Here are some of the qualities that make good relationships flourish. Humility builds peace and unity, while arrogance tears it down. Gentleness builds peace and unity, while harsh and rude words tear it down. Patience and tolerance for one another build peace and unity, while expressing irritability and annoyance at the shortcomings of others tears it down.

Preserving unity and peace amongst ourselves is so important that God has given some strong warnings in scripture about those who are intent on destroying it. Take, for example, this Proverb about things that the Lord hates: “There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16–19 NAS95) Note that one who spreads strife among brothers is an abomination to the LORD. This is a strong warning! Or, as another example, think of Paul’s words to Titus: “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11 NAS95). A factious person is a division-maker—one who purposefully causes divisions in the body of Christ. Again, this is a very serious matter to the Lord.

We should all be very thankful for the unity and peace that exists among the church here in our congregation. It is a precious thing! It is pleasing to the Lord! May God continue to bless us with peace as we strive for peace.

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:3, peace, Proverbs 6:1 6-19, unity | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

One Body, One Faith

April 5, 2022

Have you ever wondered why there are so many different religious beliefs and denominations in the world today?  One thing is certain, Jesus did not start many different religious denominations.  He started one church made up of people who have saving faith in Him.  God adds people to His one church when they respond in faith and are baptized into Christ.  This is what happened on the day Peter preached the first Gospel sermon.  The scriptures say, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41, NASB) Only God can add souls to the church he established.

Just as there is only one church, there is also only one faith.  Paul writes, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6, NASB) The word faith in this passage is referring to the body of beliefs that the church holds in common.  As Jude writes to the church, “…Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jude 3, NASB). Notice that he does not speak of a faith, but the faith.  There is only one faith.  The one faith was once and for all handed down from God, and we need to be contending earnestly for it. Every belief, doctrine, and practice that we hold as a church should be rooted in God’s word and nowhere else. 

We need to be careful that we do not substitute the creeds, traditions, and doctrines of men for the truth of God’s word.  When we stray from the word of God, we end up with many various teachings that are not coming from God, but from man.  Of course, we may struggle in our attempts to correctly interpret the word of God, but this doesn’t change the fact that we should recognize that there is only one body and one faith.  I know that as we make sincere, prayerful attempts to honor the word and stay within the word, God will lead us into a better understanding and help us to properly apply His teachings.  There is one body.  There is one faith.  May God help us as we strive to hold to these precious truths. 

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Acts 2:41, Christianity, church, Ephesians 4:4-6, Jude 3, truth, unity | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin

Being of the Same Mind

March 8, 2022

One important concept that we often see in the scriptures is that we should be of the same mind.  Paul tells the church at Philippi to, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind…” (Philippians 2:2, NASB) What does it mean to be of the same mind?  Does it mean that we should all have the same opinions about every topic?  Does it mean that no one should be allowed to have a thought that differs from the majority? 

Let us look at some other instances where the phrase is used and try to determine the meaning.  Paul writes in Romans chapter 12, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.” (Romans 12:16, NASB) Here we see that being of the same mind means not thinking too highly of yourself. It means associating with those who may be of low position.  In the church, the rich and poor, the formally educated and those who are not, the spiritually mature and immature are all one in Christ, and therefore we should have the same mind toward one another!

In Romans chapter 15 we read, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another…so that…you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us…” (Romans 15:5-7, NASB) Here we see that being of one mind is about accepting one another.  What does he mean by that?  This verse follows closely after Paul’s discussion in Romans chapter 14 about not passing judgement on the opinions of a brother or sister (we are speaking here of opinions, not of clear commands of the Lord).  We need to accept one another in Christ, even if we have different convictions about matters of opinion.  Being of the same mind is not about being in lockstep on every matter of opinion, but rather it is about accepting one another—despite our differences of opinion—because Christ has accepted us!  In fact, to demand complete uniformity on every matter of opinion in the church will destroy same-mindedness.

We need to strive to be of the same mind in the church, which means that we need to have the same care and concern for all.  We need to accept one another in Christ—no matter anyone’s so-called social status.  We need to live in harmony with one another in Christ—even if we have drawn different conclusions about various matters of opinion.  In so doing, we will be able to glorify our Father with one voice, as He desires.

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin