What Is This Unity?

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

Ephesians 4:3

What is the unity of the Spirit and who can have it?  Before we discuss what it is, we should identify what it is not.  The unity of the Spirit is not uniformity.  A graveyard may be uniform, yet there is no life within it.  Also, external unity is not equivalent to internal unity.  We may, as parents, present a unified front to the children, yet not have unity as spouses.  Unity is not the banding together of desperate groups to support a common cause.  We find this often in politics, when what passes for unity is really very much a matter of, ‘we hate each other, but we hate them more, so we will work together.’  True unity is the solid, common ground upon which we stand when we agree on certain things.  In the case of those who are Christ’s, these are the core beliefs which have historically distinguished the people of God.  According to Revelation 7, they are: 1) Salvation is of God; 2) God rules upon His Throne, 3) Christ is the Lamb of God, 4) God is worthy of our praise and worship.  Regardless of any other conclusion, we may reach about various other subjects, this unity is that which only those who have the Spirit of God in them have.  It is a unity which centers in God and His Christ. 

Our Great and Gracious God,
we rejoice that You have unified us by Your Spirit,
around the Person and work of Christ.
We praise You that day-by-day
You teach us to look to Him,
and to stand united with those who are His.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning