The unity having been established between Jew and Gentile, Paul looked for the spirit of humility and meekness, forbearing one another in love. This is the spirit of the nearness to God and the possession of privileges enjoyed in His presence.
The believer was to maintain this unity in the bond of peace.
1. Walk worthy of their calling.
2. The spirit in which they were to do it.
3. Diligence in maintaining this unity in the bond of peace.
It is not feeling or one's opinion, but the oneness as members of the body of Christ through the Holy Spirit, which brings about unity. This all relates to the earth.
There is one body, one Spirit, and one hope, of which the Spirit is the source. This is the essential, real, and abiding unity. There is also one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, the public profession and recognition of Christ as Lord. Then there is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
These are the great bonds of unity. We cannot exercise faith, enjoy hope, nor express Christian life in any form without having the same faith and the same hope as the rest of the believers.
Christ as Head gives spiritual gifts according to the measure of the gift of Christ, as Christ sees fit to bestow. In Christ we are one; in service each has his place according to the divine wisdom. Spiritual gifts are the proof of the divine power over Satan.
Christ has received gifts in man (Acts 2:3333Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)). In Psa. 68 He ascended as man, having previously descended as man into the lower part of the earth, into death, victorious over Satan. Having blotted out our sins, He takes His place as man above the heavens in order that He may fill all things. As far as His work is concerned, redemption has completed all. It is the fullness of His work. He is the one who fills all things.
Gifts were given to men for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry to edify the body of Christ. Gradually all come "in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
If we are not subject to the Word given through the gifts that God has given, the danger would be to be tossed about with every wind of doctrine. Men by sleight and cunning craftiness lie in wait to deceive. Let us beware.
Love is the way in which the truth should be spoken so that we might grow up unto Christ, who is the Head in all things. The whole body joined together by that which every joint supplies brings an increase of the body in its edification in love.
The apostle exhorted that the habits of the unsaved Gentiles be dropped off. The mind was darkened, filled with lusts, but the believer has not so learned Christ. Ye have put off the old man who was corrupt. Ye have put on the new man created in holiness.
Do not lie, speak truth to one another, as members of one body. Do not hold a grudge. Give Satan no place. Having stolen in the past, steal no more but work with your hands what is good, to have something to give to those in need. Be careful of what you say. May it be for edification, ministering grace.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom the believer is sealed unto redemption's day. Lay aside malice, anger, etc., and be kind, warm-hearted, forgiving one another, even as you have been forgiven by Christ.