On Monday, I blogged an article in which the Apostle Paul challenges us to live in unity. The article is entitled, “God Desires Unity Not Uniformity.” Look at the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and one recognizes that God is all about unity/oneness. In fact, in John 17, we discovered a prayer from the very heart of Jesus that declares our effectiveness and impact to the world is based on our ability to live out unity in the midst of our differences. When we don’t, the world mocks us. Because of judgmental attitudes towards one another the world observes us “eating our own.” In context, Ephesians 5:30 “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” is all about the way we mistreat each other. Relationships are paramount to the Holy Spirit. He wants unity…if not, He grieves.
You will discover that there are six characteristics that our lives must embody to deliver on God’s desire for unity. Ephesians 4 states “1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you 4 have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” First, you have to surrender your heart totally to the Lord, “a prisoner for the Lord.” If not, I will be all about “me” and my flesh cannot deliver on the unity of the Spirit. Then, there are four “Be’s, “be completely humble, be completely gentle, be completely patient, be completely fore-bearing towards others.” The latter word recognizes that there will be issues and problems between you and others. However, because you no longer live for yourself but for Jesus, He gives you the strength to work thru conflict. Listen and heed this beautiful comment in Proverbs 19:11, “it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Lastly, Paul declares “make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” In other words, be absolutely intentional, mindful and purpose to deliver on unity in the almighty strength of the Holy Spirit.
Guys, unity is in the center of the heart of our wonderful, loving God. Let’s give every effort living out the “Be’s” and deliver oneness as servants of Jesus. It blesses our God and changes our world.
Barnabas Man 