Christian Unity Maintained, Pt1
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6.
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The first 3 chapter of the epistle have dealt with the doctrines of salvation. Now Paul begins to press upon the Ephesians the outworking of those doctrines, the practice of gospel holiness. First on his list of duties is that of unity. In his call for a walking worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, verse 1, he calls for unity amongst the believers. A display of disunity is very harmful to the cause of Christ.
Each believer should seek to be the means of advancing the peace of the church and certainly not disturbing or breaking it. All of us possess a nature which desires war rather than peace. We must curb it, crucify it.
I. WE ARE COMMANDED TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT
1. We are to “keep” not “seek” unity. The word keep means to carefully guard and preserve. Unity is a grace to be preserved most carefully.
2. Unity is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ps 133:1-2. It is that blessing that descends from Christ to the fringes of the whole church through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. One of the chief properties of oil is the combatting of friction. The anointing oil was a perfumed oil so the it sweetened the atmosphere. Such is Christian unity.
3. Maintaining unity requires “endeavour.” The word means“labour,” “diligence.”