I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
God Sent His Spirit
Unity. It’s an attractive word. There is a sense of people joined under the same banner for the same cause. It’s the picture of differences set aside and what we have in common that draws us together to develop something greater than the sum of our parts. It is so appealing that many make claims to bring about unity, and people flock to them and their claims in the hope of joining something that can lift them from their current state to something far greater.
When God refers to unity, however, this is with reference to something even more profound because it’s about something that is brought about at the very centre of our being. This is what connects us with the Father and the Son.
The fundamental purpose of the unity of the Spirit lies in its divine origin and theological foundation, serving as a tangible expression of the Trinity’s own perfect harmony. Paul emphasises that this unity is not a human construction or social agreement, but rather a spiritual reality already accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s work in creating “one body” from diverse believers. This unity exists as God’s supernatural gift, rooted in the shared experience of salvation through Christ’s reconciling work on the cross, which “broke down the wall of hostility” between different groups and created “one new people”. The Spirit-wrought unity reflects the very nature of God Himself—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all—making the church’s unity a visible demonstration of divine truth rather than mere human cooperation. This theological foundation ensures that Christian unity transcends cultural, ethnic, and social barriers, serving as a profound witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
The benefits of maintaining this Spirit-created unity extend far beyond internal church harmony, producing what Paul describes as “common convictions about Christ, common confidence in Christ, and common care for each other”. When believers diligently preserve this unity through humility, gentleness, patience, and love, they create an environment where spiritual gifts can flourish and the church can mature effectively. This unity serves as the essential foundation for effective ministry, enabling the body of Christ to function as God intended, with each member contributing their unique gifts for the building up of the whole. Furthermore, this visible unity becomes a powerful apologetic tool, fulfilling Christ’s prayer in John 17:21 “that they may all be one…so that the world may know” God’s love and truth. The Spirit’s unity also provides believers with strength and encouragement during trials, as they experience the support and fellowship of a genuinely unified community that shares both burdens and joys.
So God sends us the Spirit.
Modern disciples face challenges in maintaining the unity of the Spirit that Paul envisioned in Ephesians 4, as contemporary culture actively works against the humility, patience, and gentle forbearance required for genuine Christian fellowship. Social media platforms, while offering global connectivity, often create echo chambers that amplify theological divisions, foster superficial relationships over deep fellowship, and encourage immediate reactive responses rather than the patient dialogue essential for unity.
Additionally, increasing political polarisation, cultural class divisions, and denominational fragmentation present believers with pressures to prioritise ideological alignment over Spirit-led unity, making it difficult to maintain the “bond of peace” when surrounded by a society that celebrates division and tribalism. The challenge becomes even more complex as churches struggle with communication breakdowns in an information-saturated age, where the proliferation of voices and platforms makes it harder to discern authentic biblical teaching from cultural preferences, requiring disciples to actively resist the modern tendency toward individualism and instead pursue the costly but transformative work of preserving the unity that the Holy Spirit has already created.
We turn to the unifying work of the Spirit and take joy in His work that unites us and gives us wisdom to overcome the challenges we face. With greater acknowledgement for the Holy Spirit of God being present to unite us, we’re encouraged to explore the answer to the question …
God, how can we treasure more the unity of the Spirit and apply that value to our relationships in this situation?
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Life With CD 