“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
The apostle Paul reiterates the truth contained in Psalm 133 as he instructs us to keep the unity of the Spirit. Unity of the Spirit is something a local church like Parkdale has already been given in Christ;
Specifically the following points of union
one body one Spirit –becoming part of Christ’s church by the indwelling of the same Spirit within each of us is a point of union
called to one hope – the hymn says it best “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” this shared hope is a point of union
one Lord - having the same Lord is absolutely a point of union
one faith – there is only one true faith – faith that rests on the Word of God expressed in loving actions – and that faith is a point of union
one baptism – many forms of external water baptism, and yet only one inward baptism of the Holy Spirit, having been put to death to sin with Christ, having been raised with Christ to new life thru the Spirit is a point of union.
one God and Father of all- not many Gods but ONE GOD and if this God is our God, then we have a point of union
this unity of the Spirit is a gift from our loving heavenly Father- and all we have to do is practice the bond of peace, which requires us
to be completely humble and gentle
to be patient
to bear with one another in love
As we ask God to pour out His Spirit of unity upon our church – let us do our part!
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