MAINTAINING UNITY:
Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJV
[1] I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, [3] endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Once unity is achieved, we must continue to maintain it through love for one another and doing all we can to be at peace with all men. Without diligent efforts to maintain this unity, it could be easily lost through the cunning craftiness of the deceiver.
We discovered yesterday that the church is united and joined to each through the effective working by which each individual does its share (Ephesians 4:16). This must continue. Whatever we are called and gifted to do, we must continue to do effectively. Whether it is singing in the praise team, clean the church, lead a team, or serve in a fivefold ministry capacity, we must continue to do so with all our might as unto the Lord (1 Chronicles 12:38 & Colossians 3:23-24).
As servants of God, we must never think of ourselves as better and more valuable than others than we ought to think but we must be like minded towards each other, glorifying God with one mind and one mouth. We must receive each other just as Christ has received us, so that we can maintain our unity in Christ ( Romans 12:3 & 15:5-7).
Furthermore, we must never seek revenge but seek to live and work peaceably with all men (Romans 12:17-21). More importantly, we must learn to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, and putting on love which is the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:12-17).
Lastly, we must allow the Spirit of God to work in us, through us, binding us together, and leading us in the path of righteousness. Those who totally rely on the Holy Spirit to unite us and keep us united will experience the blessings of God.