"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; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" Ephesians 4.3-6.
We tend to think of church in the terms of our local assembly. However, Paul is addressing what is known as the universal church: all believers, all over the face of the earth are part of the Body of which Jesus is the head regardless of denomination or culture.
Paul constructs his argument on a Trinitarian foundation. We can unabashedly declare that it is the Father's will for the church to have unity. His will for unity is carried on by the Holy Spirit's "bond of peace". As we focus in on Jesus (read abide John 15) we will cooperate with Jesus' leading and promote unity.
Our part of cooperating with Jesus is to "make every effort to keep the unity". We do not create or manufacture the unity; rather we do our best to not let our petty differences get in the way of pointing each other to Jesus.
In this light, are we praying for all believers: in other churches in our town, state, country, world? Are we cooperating with Jesus by making "every effort to keep the unity" that the Holy Spirit has started? What are your thoughts regarding this line of thought? How could Jesus use you, even in our own town to show a lost and hurting world that we, as the body of Christ, will not allow our petty differences or desire to grow our own local church get in the way of unity?
Unity is the will of the Father!
