We conclude our 3 thoughts on the ministry of the Holy Spirit – the unity of the Spirit.
‘As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.’ (Ephesians 4:1-6)
The ‘unity of the Spirit’ is something that all Christians possess. ‘For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.’ (1 Corinthians : 12-13). The moment we repent and receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, the Holy Spirit baptises us into the one body of Christ – the universal church. We are united by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ and to all the believers both in heaven and on earth. It is a personal relationship and we are commanded to ‘MAKE EVERY EFFORT’ to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Note the necessity of our displaying the fruit of the Spirit – ‘gentle’, ‘patience’, ‘love’, ‘peace’ – and also ‘humble’.
Jesus Christ shows us the importance of this unity. Just before his crucifixion, he prayed: ‘my prayer is not for them (his disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ (John 17:20-21)
Our responsibility is to be part of the answer to this prayer by making EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE by our love and concern for each other.
