Let's talk about peace...
The time and place: Germany after WWII: division had split the church, and the hurt ran deep. In the years prior, Hitler had commanded all religious groups within the country to unite. However, it wasn't a unity of the Spirit that joined them. Instead, this unity was forced upon them so Hitler could better control the churches.
Some of the Brethren Assemblies in Germany went along with Hitler's plan, but another half refused. The result of refusing to comply meant tremendous hardship, and nearly every family in this group faced the loss of family members in concentration camps. Those who consented had a much easier time.
After the war, there was, understandably, a lot of bitterness between the two groups. The church's leaders decided to do something about the problem, and they planned a retreat where they would meet together. They spent time praying and seeking God's will. They knew what God had called them to do. As they prayed and confessed what was in their hearts, they said that the Holy Spirit came among them and created a beautiful spirit of unity. Love supernaturally replaced hatred.
Francis Schaeffer, the American theologian, later retold this story as an example of what happens when Christ's followers invite the Holy Spirit to come and change hearts and minds.
The Holy Spirit unifies.
The bond of peace called for in the church is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" 2 Corinthians 13:1
This blessing that Paul gives attributes different attributes to each member of the Trinity. Notice how he credits the Holy Spirit with bringing fellowship among the believers.
Christ's followers have already been united because we are all one in him. But that unity is something that also something that needs to be maintained. Ephesians 4:3 instructs us to "make every effort to keep the unity."
How do we do that?
It is the Holy Spirit that produces love in our hearts. We seek him and invite him to do his work through prayer and obedience to his leading.
Romans 5:5 (ESV) says,
"..and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
We can enforce unity through outside means, but it will only mean something if it comes from the heart. One of my favorite quotes that sum up this idea is,
"One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always." –A.W. Tozer
The Holy Spirit, the giver of life, changes everything in his sweet presence. There's strong evidence that the Holy Spirit works in a church community when the believers unite and love one another, but a ministry only works with the power of the Holy Spirit. We need his presence.
Some examples throughout the Bible show that the Holy Spirit will leave certain situations and withdraw his blessings when there is disobedience. The Holy Spirit does not force his way into our lives. We have free will. Remember, too, that though we are instructed to "make every effort" to live in peace with others, there is no promise that others will respond in kind. We can ask the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, but others have the same free will.
We must depend on the Holy Spirit, recognizing his presence and blessing in our lives, inviting and receiving him in faith. When we do this, we will experience a power beyond ourselves: the power of the Holy Spirit.
A prayer: Holy Spirit, you are welcome here; please help us to experience that bond of peace with our brothers and sister in Christ, the bond that comes through the unity of your Spirit. –In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.
Appreciate what you shared about the Holy Spirit and the churches in Germany. Our small group was just discussing the Holy Spirit as we studied I John.