Let’s apply similar, human logic to “one Lord.” Can we know everything there is to know about the “one Lord”? Take a simple example: Currently, as the Man in heaven, what does Jesus look like? Is He more like the person seen by Stephen, or the blinding light seen by Paul, or the glorious vision of Revelation? Even about matters spoken of in Scripture, not all are likely to agree on every detail. How, then, can unity be based on “one Lord”?
For the sake of unity, should we make the “one Lord” more agreeable? That is, should we reduce Him to something simpler, on which we all can agree? Of course not. Unity does not depend on our perfect grasp of every detail. Unity has already been established by the One Lord through His cross (Ephesians 2:13-16). Our role is to follow Him into His peace and unity. Follow Him—the whole Lord—not just an agreeable part of Him, not a simpler version, nor a council’s creed about Him. As you follow, will your walk be perfect? No. But as you realize your deficiencies, you rely more and more on His grace. As you come to know the “one Lord” better, you follow Him more closely.
“‘One faith’ is an objective reality.”
Do we understand that “one Lord” is an actual Person, an objective reality, regardless of how we subjectively think about Him? Then we can also grasp that “one faith” is an objective reality, regardless of our subjective thinking. “All the truth” revealed by the “one Spirit” exists as reality. As a pillar of unity, it does not depend on our thinking, much less our perfect grasp of every detail. Acknowledging how much we have yet to learn, we depend more than ever on Christ’s mercy, His gentleness with the ignorant (Hebrews 5:2). We humbly learn more and more of the faith. As we mature into all the will of Christ, we do our part for maintaining the Spirit’s unity.