THE one body consists of all God’s children, who are said to be “one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.” Romans 12:4,5.
All the members forming the one body, united to the head, are called the Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12.
They become so by the baptism of the Holy Ghost (ver. 13), given to them as children of God. Galatians 4:6.
We become God’s children by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26.
All, therefore, who believe in Jesus are one body. Romans 12:5.
They ought, therefore, to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; or endeavor to do so. Ephesians 4:3.
Necessary to this are—Lowliness—Meekness—Longsuffering—Forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:2.
Contrary to this, are—Lying—Stealing—Corrupt communication—Bitterness— Wrath—Anger—Clamor—Evil speaking—Malice.
Ephesians 4:25-31.
In accordance with this are—
Kindness—Tender-heartedness—Forgiving one another—Submitting ourselves one to another. Ephesians 4; 5.
If keeping the unity of the Spirit, we should necessarily All speak the same thing-Have no divisions—Be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians
The marks of being carnal are Envying—Strife—Divisions—Making a man, not Christ, the rallying-point; e. g., “I am of Paul,” &c. —Or saying “I am of Christ;” thereby implying that other believers are not. 1 Corinthians
What is there to hinder our keeping the unity of the Spirit?
Sins, tolerated in believers, thus forming a bar to fellowship. The sins which are necessarily a bar to fellowship are specified in scripture, as follows: Fornication—Covetousness—Idolatry—Railing—Drunkenness—Extortion. 1 Corinthians 5
Walking disorderly—Refusing to work—Being therefore a busy-body. 2 Thessalonians
(These three last to be refused as companions, but not counted as enemies, and admonished as brethren).
Teaching otherwise than according to the rules, in Timothy up to 4:3.
Not consenting to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. (See 1 Timothy 6:4.)
Those also to be avoided who are—Lovers of self—Boasters—Proud—Blasphemers—Disobedient to parents—Unthankful—Unholy—Without natural affection—Truce-breakers—False accusers—Incontinent—Fierce—Despisers of those that are good—Traitors—Heady—Highminded —Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
All this, whilst having a form of godliness.
A man who is a heretic after two admonitions. Titus 3:10.
A man, who, having trespassed against his brother, refuses to accept rebuke from his brother, from two or more witnesses, and from the church. Matthew 18:15-18.
Those who oppose themselves to be treated as follows. Foolish and unlearned questions to be avoided in dealing with them. Strife forbidden. Gentleness, aptness to teach, patience, needful. Instruction given in meekness to be the rule. 2 Timothy 2:23-26.
They are to be restored in the spirit of meekness, by the spiritual, who are to consider themselves, lest they also be tempted. Galatians 6:1.
The unruly to be warned; the feeble-minded comforted; the weak supported; all to be borne with patiently.
1 Thessalonians 5:14.