Unity in the Spirit

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

"There is one body and one Spirit¾just as you were called to one hope when you were called¾one Lord, one faith, one baptism…" (Ephesians 4:4-5).

There is unity in the Spirit. We become part of it the instant we are born again. We cannot establish this unity, because it already exists. We are to make every effort to keep it. Here are few of the ways we can destroy this unity:

· Become men-followers. (1 Corinthians 1 and 3)

· Seek followers for ourselves. (Acts 20:30)

· Say one of the following:

o “We have the best church government.”

o “We have the best form of worship.”

o “We have the best doctrine.”

o “Our teaching on holiness is the right teaching.”

o “The meaning and form of our church’s sacraments/ordinances are most biblical.”

o “Our view of the gifts of the Spirit is the biblical view.”

o “We are the true church of Christ.”

o “We are an upper middle-class church.”

If all Christians of every culture and nation were in 100% agreement on all practices and doctrines, many of the Christians would not like it. Why? Because none of us could be the most right. Our tendency is to be exclusive, not inclusive.

*Excerpted from Being Christian. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

This post coordinates with last Saturday's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us. We would love to have you reading with us.

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