The direct exposition of Ephesians as a whole has now been completed in these pages,

but there are many side issues both of a doctrinal and practical nature that demand

attention. There is much more to be said in connection with the subjective side of the

conflict of Eph. 6: which cannot be satisfactorily dealt with until Rom. 6: has been

considered also. The particular point that we feel called upon to deal with at the moment

is that which has reference to the keeping of the unity of the Spirit and the problem that

attaches by reason of differences of doctrine and practice on the part of other believers.

If we have studied the addresses of those who urge the union of Church with Dissent,

or of one phase of sectarianism with another, one item is constant.  The union

contemplated can only be brought about by agreeing to differ concerning some items of

doctrine or practice. From an outside position it is apparent that many of the causes of

division are man made, and could well be dropped to mutual advantage, but the unity

thus brought about would not be the unity of the Spirit.

We cannot remember one passage in the whole of Scripture that would warrant a child

of God relinquishing the veriest jot or tittle of truth for the sake of unity. All truth comes

from God, and we as stewards are not free to be liberal with our Master's possessions,

even though such liberality be called by fair names, and faithfulness be called by very

foul ones. If Paul had "agreed to differ" he would have saved himself many a sleepless

night and heart-ache.  Because he perceived the sacredness of stewardship and the

blindness of truth, he had to write, "all in Asia be turned away from me".

This unity cannot be brought about by agreement, neither are we enjoined to do

anything but endeavour to "keep" it. Its author is the Spirit. The expression is loosely

used by all sorts and conditions of Christians. Those who are keen on the re-union of

Christendom appeal to Eph. 4: as an argument why Baptists should not stress believer's

baptism, Churchmen should not sprinkle infants, Presbyterians and Episcopalians should

sink their differences on the question of holy orders. These things may be the causes of

differences and divisions, and their abandonment would bring about a species of unity,

but it would not be the unity of the Spirit.  Eph. 4:  has something most

uncompromisingly insistent to say about baptism, holy orders, etc., which cannot be