Unity in the Spirit

Unity seems to be a going theme these days. A goal, an aspiration, and an accomplishment to be attained by the church. But what does it look like?

Jesus never commanded us to be tolerant. He told us to love. But love is not tolerant. Whoever rebukes, in the end, gains favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue (Proverbs 28:23). The Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Jesus wasn't tolerant of the money changers in the temple, yet, He didn't call fire down from heaven to consume a city that rejected Him. John the Baptist wasn't tolerant when He called the religious busy-bodies of the day a brood of vipers. These were the same men that schemed to crucify Jesus. However, Jesus loved the money changers, the Sadducee and Pharisees, the city that rejected Him. However, He would not tolerate blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12) for it is the sin that cannot be forgiven.

Jesus couldn't do anything without seeing the Father do it first. In John 17, Jesus speaks about the unity between the Father and Himself. This wasn't unity achieved by good works, prayer and fasting, preaching good messages to the people, or telling outstanding parables. It was achieved by Holy Spirit. Before Jesus was crucified, He prayed, "Let them be one as we are one." It was when Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit that He began demonstrating the will and kingdom of His Father in heaven. It was then they were One.

Demonstration of the kingdom comes in power. This power is only accessed when we are in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit seals our salvation when we are born again (Ephesians 1:13-14) and lives inside of us. When we are immersed, or baptized, in the Holy Spirit, we are living inside of Him.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Bible. This is a life of theology, religion, and manpower. Holy Spirit is neglected in a large portion of the body that He is sent to equip. He equips with power! If the traditions of men make the power of God null and void, why do believers submit to them?

Theology will eventually lead to disagreement. Religion and traditions will leave the generations to follow uninterested and disengaged. Manpower will burn out those who choose to strive for a great applause. Holy Spirit does not run on manpower, but empowers man to run with feet that are prepared with the gospel of peace to all nations. Holy Spirit unites the body.

Could it be that, in the church, when we receive the Holy Spirit we can then receive each other without a second thought of where we've come from?