The Unity of the Spirit

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul set forth the glory of Christ Jesus as the Head of the church and the glory of God’s grace in the church as the body of Christ. The body of Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, growing up into a habitation of God through the Spirit.

In the second half of the epistle, Paul taught how the believer is to walk worthy of his calling. The very first lesson he had to give in regard to this life and walk on earth (Ephesians 4:1–4) rests on the truth that the Holy Spirit has united us not only to Christ in heaven, but also to Christ’s body on earth. The Spirit dwells in Christ in heaven, in the believer on earth, and most especially in Christ’s body, with all its members.

The full, healthy action of the Spirit can be found only where the right relationship exists between the individual and the whole body. The believer’s first concern in his Christian walk must be to see that the unity of the Spirit is maintained. If this unity of the one Spirit and one body were fully acknowledged, the main virtue of the Christian life would be lowliness and meekness. (See Ephesians 4:2–3.)

Each person would give up self for others. Everyone would be patient with one another in love amid all differences and shortcomings. In this way, the new commandment would be kept, and the Spirit of love would sacrifice itself completely for others.

To keep the unity of the Spirit by living in fellowship with believers around me is life in the Spirit. It has taken time, prayer, and faith to know the Spirit of God within you. It will take time, prayer, faith, and much love to know the Spirit of God in your brother.