Sermon for Trinity 17. The Scripture readings are Proverbs 25:6-14; Ephesians 4:1-6; and Luke 14:1-11.

Our text today, when it talks about unity and being one, refers to the unity that exists between Christians. This unity between Christians is twofold.

First, there is a unity that all Christians simply have. We could call this a ‘vertical unity’ and consists of how sinners are united with God. Christians are nothing more than sinners who were by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Christians of all time and in all places are united by the one faith in Jesus who is our Savior, the only Savior. Because Jesus is the only Savior, we are united in Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the only access we have to God the Father (Jn. 14:6). When the Holy Spirit works faith in us, this unity simply exists.

The second unity is the unity that all Christians are to strive for. We can call this a horizontal unity and how we as Christians are united with one another. This unity is of conviction and true confession.

The silver lining in the doctrinal differences that exist between Christians is that the various denominations are trying to be true to what the Bible teaches. In other words, we are taking what Jesus teaches in the Scriptures seriously. That is why we, with humility, gentleness, and patience point those who believe differently than we do to what Jesus has said. We don’t pridefully lambast them saying, “You aren’t a Christian if you don’t believe just like I do.” No!

Instead, we work to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The unity of the one holy Christian Church is a gift given by God Himself through faith in Christ. We can’t maintain or keep the unity of the Spirit unless it already exists, and it does.

The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, the oneness that God has given all Christians is a precious thing. We hold on to this unity as we hold onto Christ and His Word in humility.