The Unity of the Spirit

"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:3

I was fortunate enough to hear Tommy Bates preach a message last night entitled "The Unity of the Spirit" from Ephesians 4:1-6. It was one of the most Christ centered messages I have heard in a long time. This is a message I wish all believers and church leaders could hear.

Tommy Bates is a Pentecostal preacher from Kentucky. I'm sure you don't hear many Baptist preachers quoting our PH brethren but I'm not your ordinary Baptist. One of the greatest discoveries found in Ephesian 4 was that a lot of what is written here is what we fight about today!

Paul said that there was:
One Body
One Spirit
One Hope
One Faith
One Baptism
One God
If you have never travelled outside of your denomination circle then you may have never heard some of the arguments. Then again...you may have heard plenty in your home church. I am truly amazed at how many denominational leaders believe that their way is the only way or that their church is the only church.

Having spoken to different pastors from other denominations, I know too well the criticism of the Baptist, Church of God, Pentecostals, Church of Christ, etc. We all have our way of doing things - worship, baptism, preaching, singing, and praying just to name a few. Personally, I have some pretty strong convictions in all of these areas. However, I will not sit back in judgement on those who do it differently. Do I believe that baptism by immersion is the biblical practice? Yes. Do I have a conviction that the best type of preaching is Expository? Yes. What about worship, singing, praying? Sure...I have convictions in all of these areas. But who am I but a man who is seeking to follow God with all of my heart. The point that I'm trying to make is that in the eyes of God there is but one Body.

Regardless of your denominational tag - if you go to Heaven it will fall off and if you go to Hell it will burn off!

If it is our desire to see a great outpouring of the Spirit of God in our communities and in our country we are going to have to lay down our denominational pride and begin to live in unity with the brethren. It's not only a great truth that should drive us in our own churches but in the world in which we live. I promise you that the world is sick of our division. The lost are waiting for the denominations to come together for evangelism.

I have literally watched people go their separate ways, families be divided, and communities endure criticism because they choose to fellowship/worship with a different denomination. I have personally felt the hatred and endured the criticism. However, I am determined to live in unity with fellow believers. The Bible teaches me that as much as lies within me - I should live peaceably with all men.

I will celebrate what God is doing among the Southern Baptists. I will participate in events, go through trainings, and enjoy the fellowship. But I am also willing to join hands with those who will join hands with me. The goal of global evangelism cannot be carried out by one denomination. True worship of our Heavenly Father cannot simply come under one label. It's when we join together that great things happen. When Jew, Gentile, Slave, Free, Male and Female are made one under the new covenant of Jesus' blood - great things begin to happen.

Paul told our Ephesian brethren that there was one God and Father of all. He then went on to say that He is above all, through all, and in you all. I'm so glad that God doesn't operate in the same spirit as we do! The Father, Son, Holy Spirit operate as one and we should do the same.

I pray that the church of the living God will learn to dwell together in unity. I pray that we can all learn to jump in the river of the Holy Spirit together and enjoy the joy of the Lord without division. Can it happen in today's world? Absolutely! But we must be willing to drop the tags and labels in order to live in relationship. To God be the glory when the brethren CHOOSE to dwell together in UNITY!