Paul’s Plea For Unity Among Christians
PAUL'S PLEA FOR UNITY AMONG CHRISTIANS (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Yeow Chin Kiong
The truths of the Christian faith derive as much from the inspired words of Jesus' apostles as from the words of Jesus Himself. This is because they would receive revelation in addition to what our Lord had time to convey to them while He was on earth (John 14:25-26; 16:12-15). Hence, the apostle Paul states his writings are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37), being God's word (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Paul tells us that he can authorize by stating a command direct from the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:10) or by making an apostolic judgment (1 Corinthians 7:12). The apostle Peter makes a general reference to the authoritative "commands of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior" which are to be acknowledged along with "the words which were spoken before by the holy propbets" (2 Peter 3:1-2).
As did our Lord, the apostles command that His disciples be united in all things. Central among such commands is Paul's in Ephesians 4:1-6, "(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. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
The apostolic call for disciples' unity occurs most often in the call to the brethren to be of "one mind." Being of "one mind" entails two things, namely, firstly, oneness or agreement on our beliefs and affirmations drawn from scripture (i.e. all that has to do with the seven "ones" of Ephesians 4:4-6) and, secondly, a unified or common humility, love and purpose seen in the life of Jesus Christ and in the lives of those who choose to imitate His attitude and conduct.
Romans 15:5-6 requires us to be "like-minded" at least in the hope which comes through patience and comfort of scriptures so that "with one mind and one mouth" we may gloriify God. 1 Corinthians 1:10 calls upon Christians to "all speak the same thing, (there) being no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," so as to avoid forming cliques within a congrepation. 2 Corinthians 13:11 requires us to be of "one mind" in the context of being "of good comfort ... (living) in peace" as well as wanting to have God be with us.
Philippians 2:1-5 begins with the encouragement for us to complete our "consolation in Christ ...comfort of love ...fellowship of the Spirit...affection and mercy" by "being like- minded...being of one accord, of one mind ..." and having a mind which "was also in Christ", characterised by humility and being prepared to serve and being obedient to the point of death. The actual example in Philippians 4:2 of being of "the same mind in the Lord" to overcome personal animosity among brethren is self-explanatory, comprising a proper Christian view and attitude towards each other which make for peace among us.
1 Peter 3:8-9 commands us to "be of one mind" accompanied by listing a host of positive traits which are necessary for the onemindedness meant: "... having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling but, on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."