Ephesians 4:3

CHRISTIAN UNITY

‘The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’

Ephesians 4:3

‘Ye are one,’ the Apostle would say, ‘one in Christ Jesus, therefore live and walk as one.’ Two points here suggest themselves for our consideration.

I. In what does true Christian unity consist?

(a) True unity admits of great variety in outward form.

(b) True unity admits of considerable independence of action.

(c) True unity depends upon the whole body being permeated by one spirit.

II. How can true unity be best attained?—The passage before us to a large extent supplies the answer.

(a) First of all, by cherishing a spirit of ‘lowliness and meekness.’

(b) Another mode of attaining greater unity is the cultivation of a spirit of long-suffering and forbearance. ‘With long-suffering,’ the Apostle says, ‘forbearing one another in love.’ This applies, no doubt, chiefly and directly to our social relationships one with another, but has it not also a wider application?

(c) But above and beyond all other things to promote unity, there must be the drawing nearer to the source and centre of all unity, viz. a close personal abiding in the Lord Jesus Himself.

III. Two remarks by way of caution.—In our longing desire for unity let us take care to avoid two opposite extremes.

(b) First, that of thinking that by greater outer uniformity we shall gradually arrive at unity.

(b) The other, that of sacrificing essential and fundamental truth in our desire to meet objectors, and embrace a wider area within our circle.

Rev. John Barton.