Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
As a youth pastor some of my fondest memories were sitting around the campfire at SonRise Bible Camp in the heart of the Adirondak mountains strumming my nylon stringed folk guitar and singing songs that emerged from the folk-Christian and “Jesus People” movements. One of my favorites went like this, “We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.” There is power in unity!
Living a life of freedom in Christ only happens when we are filled with, empowered by, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit allows the Spirit to work most optimally, purposefully, powerfully. Why is this important? Because fracturing is one of the tools Satan uses to disempower us; splitting people off from their support group, their families, their spouses, their moral compass, their righteous path. In response, we must make every effort to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives, through the bond of peace! Every effort! Every! Effort!!