Unity And Peace

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3

Why does Paul associate the unity of the Spirit with the bond of peace?  Perhaps one way to consider this is by a discussion of the body.  When our human body has unity, that is, all of the various parts are working together as they should, a bond of peace prevails among those parts.  We are in a healthy state.  When one part, or perhaps more than one part, begins to behave in a manner which disrupts the unity of the body, peace comes to an end.  An unhealthy body is not bound together in peace.  It is the head that communicates to the body where the problem lies.  Our head interprets the message which the body sends it and we say, ‘I am nauseated,’ or ‘I have a headache.’  So for believers, as the Body of Christ, when we keep the unity of the Spirit, we do so in the bond of peace and that makes for spiritual health.  It is our connection with Christ, Our Head, that enables us to understand what is going on in the Body.  It is only our connection with Christ, which enables us to keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Our God and our Father,
we rejoice that You have brought us together
as the Body of Christ.
We praise You that as we look Christ,
we may continue in unity and in the bond of peace.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning