7/9/11
Greetings, It’s amazing to think that we are already more than halfway through the year. We have been discussing the topic of unity in the body of Christ and hitting it from many angles. This week, we are going to discuss unity in the body of Christ in light of peace. As it is written:
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
There are two types of unity among the people of God described by the Bible. One is the unity of the Spirit and the other is the unity of the faith. There is a difference. The unity of the spirit is automatically true. All Christians, regardless of age, race, nationality, or denomination have the unity of the Spirit. When we receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior we receive the Holy Spirit and become one with the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:17). Since all Christians are receiving the same Spirit, we have the unity of the Spirit. The unity of the faith will be when we come to a place of doctrinal unity in that we believe the same things that God believes.
Until we get to that final state, we are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The unity of the Spirit isn’t going anywhere. I could yell and scream at my Christian brothers and sisters until I am blue in the face. I could reject them, or chase them away from my house with dogs. It doesn’t matter. The unity of the Spirit remains present at all times and ultimately for all eternity.
The unity of the Spirit is above our ability to sever. It is a bond that can’t be broken. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, some people don’t see the need to keep this bond in peace. They are cruel and do dastardly things. What they don’t understand is that this type of activity is akin to punching themselves in the face. Have you ever punched yourself in the face? When this happens, the only one that gets hurt is you.
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4)
According to the very next verse in the book of Ephesians we learn why we should keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It is because we comprise one body. There is only one body of Christ. The idea that there is a Lutheran body, a Baptist body, a Pentecostal body, and so forth is hogwash. Every person that is a partaker of the Holy Spirit becomes a component of this single body.
Imagine this. One day you are walking down the street and you see a man walking backwards. Moreover, he is only taking steps with one leg. The other leg is wrapped in bandages. You go over to him and you ask him some pointed questions. For starters, you ask why his leg is wrapped in bandages. He tells you that his leg has really angered him. He was so angry that he punched, kicked, and stabbed his leg until he had to put it in bandages. Then you ask him why he would do that to his own leg. Of course, he provides an illogical explanation. In his world, his leg isn’t actually a part of his body.
The body of Christ is one body. No matter what we do, we will not be able to destroy the unity of the Spirit. We are brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what. Since we cannot rid ourselves of the unity of the Spirit, it is in our best interest to endeavor to keep this bond in peace. Don’t be guilty of foolishness like the man in our example. It is not in our best interest to try and destroy others in the body of Christ that we don’t like.
Moreover, we have to understand that the peace that we’re supposed to keep isn’t a human or carnal peace. God gives us our peace. The peace that we can keep with others should ultimately come from Him and not from ourselves.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
This verse explains to us that it is not our peace that keeps our hearts and minds. This is good because it means that “guru Sue” isn’t the solution to your problem with your Christian brothers and sisters. Jesus Christ is your solution. God gives us His peace so that we don’t have to come up with our own. What we are supposed to do is receive His. However, we only receive it through Jesus.
Receiving the peace to maintain unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ is most effectively done through the avenue of grace. Grace is what allows us to receive Jesus Christ in the first place. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is unmerited favor because it is actually God’s ability given to us. God gives us His ability to be saved because we cannot save ourselves. Furthermore, we can use grace to access anything that God has given us whether it is faith, joy, peace, or anything else.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3)
This is how it works. God has already given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. Included among these things is the peace that we are supposed to endeavor to keep with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Since we already have these things, our focus needs to be on access as opposed to acquisition. What is the key that unlocks access? Grace. For this reason I am going to give you a simple prayer that will allow you to receive anything God has already given to you including peace. This is a wonderful tool that will work wonders in your life. All you have to do is fill in the blank.
“Father, I receive your grace to __________________________________. In Jesus name, Amen”
Discussion
1. How are we supposed to keep the unity of the Spirit?
2. How well do you do this in your own life?
3. How many bodies of Christ are there?
4. What is grace?
5. What are you planning on using the grace prayer to receive?
