The “unity of the Spirit” is one of the most wonderful expressions in the Word of God. In Ephesians 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3) (JND) we read, “Using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.” It brings before us the amazing truth that God can take lost sinners from every race, nation, culture and language and bring them together in the church of God. At the same time He indwells them by His Spirit and gives them the power to walk together in oneness of mind. Thus we may say that the unity of the Spirit is that unity into which the Spirit of God seeks to lead all believers, according to the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
This does not mean that all believers will necessarily be at the same level of spiritual maturity, for Scripture recognizes that there will be children, young men and fathers in the family of God. Also, we are told in Philippians 3:1616Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3:16) that “whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing,” and that “if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (vs. 15). God counts on believers’ being subject to the Spirit’s leading so that each will grow in the truth and be able to walk together with others in the body of Christ.
The major hindrance to this, and God’s antidote for it, is found in Ephesians 4:22With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Ephesians 4:2) — “With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.” The flesh is still in every one of us, and pride is perhaps the worst manifestation of the flesh. If its activity is not recognized and dealt with before God, it will lead to strife and a wish to have my own way instead of the unity of the Spirit. Differences in personality, upbringing, outlook and lifestyle will all tend to keep us from walking in that unity. Our desire to have our own way will tend to make us force our views on others, whether it concerns doctrine or practice.
The remedy for this is to walk in lowliness and meekness, recognizing that there is a unity of the Spirit in which we can still walk. If we recognize the tendency of our hearts to force its own way on others, then we will realize how easily we may fail to walk in that unity into which we have been called. The Spirit of God is here on earth, indwelling every true believer individually and also dwelling among believers collectively as the house of God. If all are subject to Him and are willing to forbear with others, what a difference it would make!
We are told to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. What a beautiful vessel—“all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering” — in which to deposit such a treasure — “the unity of the Spirit.” In the moral history of Christendom, pride has broken that vessel. But Paul shows what the unity of the Spirit is, which we cannot destroy. We may break the vessel and expose the treasure, but we cannot break the treasure.
Adapted from J. G. Bellett