The fact that the Bible describes the Christian life as the good “fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) reveals that the believer’s warfare is spiritual and never fleshly. In like manner, the enemy lives within the spiritual realm and this battle cannot be seen with the eyes of flesh. The enemy does not simply reside in a country on the other side of the world. In fact, it is no person or people group on this earth. Believers are told that they do not wrestle “against flesh and blood.” Ultimately, the saints’ enemy is the Devil, but his minions include principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. This means that the saints should never look to flesh and blood (mere mortals) for the source of their frustrations or victories. The fight is one of faith; the enemy, the Devil and the Lord our spiritual Captain (Hebrews 2:10).
Unity only comes from and through the Lord Jesus Christ, but once it comes, the saints of God must endeavour to keep that unity. One of the reasons why people find unity so elusive is because it requires sacrifice from all those who would enjoy its benefits. Only saints who exercise “lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering” will experience unity. No two believers who are using the minds that God gave them will believe every minute detail alike, yet they can enjoy sweet unity and fellowship in the Lord. Obviously, there are times and reasons for believers to divide, but there are also times for believers to forbear “one another in love” and endeavour to keep the unity. This unity works by love and can only be bonded through peace.
