“² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:2-3

There are two types of unity: man made unity and unity of the Holy Spirit which will always have the Cross as its Foundation.

“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.” John 16:13

“…whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak…” does not refer to lack of knowledge.  The Holy Spirit is God.  The Holy Spirit will declare the atoning work of Jesus Christ only.  He will unite the Body of Christ under the Banner of Christ alone…not Christ plus traditions, ceremonies or humanistic psychology.  When this Scripture was given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle John, the “things to come” referred to the New Covenant which would soon be given.

This unity of the Spirit with the Cross of Christ as it’s sure foundation is not a mere doctrine.  The shed Blood of Jesus Christ is not one of many doctrines to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil…it is the ONLY Way, Truth and Life for those who believe. God does not look at His plan for Salvation and daily living (Sanctification) as different denominations and attempt to unite them regardless of their “doctrine”.  Again, the Cross of Christ is not a “doctrine”.  It is not one of many.  HE is life and life more abundantly for those of us who believe.

There is no unity in the Spirit with those who attempt to unite the flesh with the Spirit all in the name of peace.  The Word of God is a TWO edged sword.  That which it severs with one edge, it is perfectly able and willing to heal with the other edge…if we just trust and believe.

If someone claims to be a Christian but lacks fidelity to the Word of God, and by that I mean the full counsel, rightly divided Word of God…not according to man’s opinion or denomination but according to the Word of God, there is no unity in the Spirit.  We should all be growing in the Grace and knowledge of the Lord daily.  There is no graduating class.  However, sadly many, in their vain attempt to preserve their denominational rules or personal opinions reject growth…they unknowingly reject the increase God is wanting to give.

“So then neither is he that plant any thing, neither he that water; but God that give the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:7

There are untold thousands who have rejected God’s increase and followed the ways of the world to overcome the world.  Their hearts are hardened to the Truth as they continue in vain to unite the flesh and the Spirit.  I’m not saying they are not saved but I am saying they have rebelled against Truth when they turned to philosophies of man and therefore we are no longer united.  To be plain and honest, they are adulterers and adulteresses.

“⁴ You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. ⁵ Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy? ⁶ But He gives more Grace. Wherefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives Grace unto the humble.” James 4:4-6

Recognize the banner of the unity.  Is it man made for the sake of peace?  Jesus did not come to bring peace…He IS peace and His Word will divide asunder the soul and spirit and discern our thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Holy Spirit “lusts to envy”, He is jealous of the those areas in our life that we have turned over to vain philosophies.  The Lord wants to give more Grace but the Holy Spirit is not commissioned to give increase to those who have placed their belief in methods of man and not the atoning work of Jesus Christ to address every problem of mankind.

The Holy Spirit will guide us into ALL Truth…not some.  We have the Word of God and the Spirit of God dwelling in us and they will never contradict one another.  The Lord did not leave us here to wonder, He left us here to occupy and glorify Him under ONE Banner…Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

-Donna Clark Warren