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

Getting along with each other is both an active process and a fruit of the Spirit’s sanctifying grace. 

Paul outlines the vocation of believers at Ephesians 4.   Peace and unity are required of us.  And yet, believers are all sinners, and sinners realistically can aspire only to endeavor.

Matthew Henry notes that “endeavouring is a gospel word: we are to do our utmost.” We are responsible for achieving peaceable relations, and we will fail as men and women, but the Spirit ultimately will instill peace among us. What we cannot do we must do because it is a Gospel imperative.

Calvin, commenting on Ephesians 4:3, notes that Paul refers to unity both as originating in the Spirit of God and as the product of likemindedness and disciplined efforts at peaceability. 

“With good reason does he recommend forbearance, as tending to promote the unity of the Spirit. Innumerable offenses arise daily, which might produce quarrels, particularly when we consider the extreme bitterness of man’s natural temper. Some consider the unity of the Spirit to mean that spiritual unity which is produced in us by the Spirit of God. There can be no doubt that He alone makes us “of one accord, of one mind,” (Philippians 2:2,) and thus makes us one; but I think it more natural to understand the words as denoting harmony of views. This unity, he tells us, is maintained by the bond of peace; for disputes frequently give rise to hatred and resentment. We must live at peace, if we would wish that brotherly kindness should be permanent amongst us.”

Matthew Henry calls the bond of peace “the strength of society.”

“If others will quarrel with us, we must take all possible care not to quarrel with them. If others will despise and hate us, we must not despise and hate them. In the bond of peace. Peace is a bond, as it unites persons, and makes them live friendly one with another. A peaceable disposition and conduct bind Christians together, whereas discord and quarrelling disband and disunite their hearts and affections. Many slender twigs, bound together, become strong. The bond of peace is the strength of society.”

I see my work as a church member as keeping peacefulness from becoming a platitude, approaching it as a gospel duty, and making successful endeavors an ongoing matter of prayer.