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Daily Bread - September 8, 2026 (The Third Day - Genesis 1:9-13)
Ephesians 4:3 - Giving diligence to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
Keeping the Oneness of the Spirit
As the elect of God, we are to “put on” (enduo) Christ Jesus. We are to be clothed with His virtue, glory, mercy, kindness, humility of mind, meekness, and longsuffering – all of which testify to the rulership of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Colossians 3:12; Romans 13:14, 12:19-21; Galatians 3:27, 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4-8; 2 Corinthians 6:6). We find that lowliness and meekness, as wonderful virtues and fruits of the Spirit, are central to the message Jesus would have us learn and follow Him in (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:3-5). To have these things of the Spirit expressed in our lives demands an active participation of our will with the Holy Spirit’s will. He has come to lead, guide, teach, and empower us, but we must follow. If we yield ourselves to Him, then He will provide us with an unlimited flow of all that belongs to God (John 7:38-39; Galatians 5:16, 25; Romans 8:14, 16).
Only by yielding ourselves to the miracle work of the Holy Spirit are we able to have unity with God and one another. (John 17:21-23; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 1:9-13). The oneness, or unity, of the Spirit has been provided for believers through salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit. If the Church is going to function properly, we must guard against anything that would oppose oneness. When anyone begins to function outside of humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, and love, they have stepped outside the will of God, and begin to violate the Body and Person of Christ Jesus.
Our responsibility is to guard ourselves against the snares and the temptations of the devil that would lead us astray into self-exaltation and strife. Demonic manifestations directly opposed to the unity of the Spirit are strife, envy, and divisions (James 3:16). We must understand the strategy of Satan is to prevent, and even stop, the unity that is essential for the Body of Christ to function properly (1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:12-27; Romans 12:16; Philippians 3:16). Therefore, it is essential to resist every contrary thing opposing the ways of God and submit to lowliness and meekness.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
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