 |
 |
Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Unity: Why Some Don't Have It
In the family, a neighborhood, a nation, a business, unity is such a precious thing. But so often it is never quite attained. Sought after, but not always realized. But why? Is it an impossible goal? Or, are men and women unwilling to pay the price and do what it takes to produce it?
What about the church? This is an area in which the absence of unity is so apparent and so tragic. Why is unity so rare today?
Some Don’t Want Unity
We have discussed “pluralism” before, and this mindset has taken control of modern philosophy. Many today do not want unity, and in fact, some even think the idea of unity is dangerous. Others suggest that the best unity exists when we are most divided. Strange? But that is what some are advocating today.
We agree that people of diverse background, race and religion can unite on many things. A very diverse company of individuals built our land, but even in this country, some kinds of diversity are not acceptable. Racism, treason, pedophilia and bigamy are forms of diverse thought, but are unacceptable.
If the church really wants unity, it is well within her grasp, but only when all of us respect what the Bible says about unity: “I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,” 1 Corinthians 1:10. It’s possible, but we must want it
No Respect for God’s Standard
The years leading up to World War II saw many treaties signed by men and nations whose ethics and honor were based on differing standards. Germany’s 1939 non-aggression pact with Russia was made with the full knowledge that neither nation trusted the other. Historians say that over a million Russians died as a result of that pact. Why? Because neither nation was guided by an objective standard of truth.
For years this congregation has been characterized by unity. If we want to continue that unity, we must all continue to respect and live in harmony with God’s Word. What I like must be in harmony with what God “likes.” But when each person’s wishes become his authority, we can expect to see alienation and division.
Opinions Elevated Above Law
Is it not an oversimplification to say that when the Bible tells us what, when, why and how to accomplish a certain matter, God’s authority demands that we do it and do it God’s way. In fact, the Bible says that is exactly what we must do: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” Colossians 3:16-17.
Are men’s opinions ever allowed? Yes, when God does not specify the way a matter should be performed, man is authorized to use any expedient way that does not violate other biblical principles. For example: We are commanded to take the Gospel to the world, Mark 16:15-16. But the “how” of doing this is not specified, thereby giving us the right to use whatever means is affordable and most effective. But even then, the expediency must first be lawful.
The Cost of Unity is High
We realize that anything of value will carry a price, often a high price. So it is with unity. The very fact that unity is not high on the priority lists of many today will elevate the costs involved in attaining it. Plus, we must also realize that there is a price that is too high. That is the situation when God’s truth would have to be ignored or compromised. [See Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 1:9-11, Matthew 7:15f.] Therefore we must take care to seek unity, but only on the basis of truth.
Here is what unity will cost:
- Our willingness to set our opinions aside when necessary. Not God’s truth, but our opinions, our preferences. As long as we require others to accept our opinions, unity will be very hard to achieve.
- We must be willing to cooperate with others, being long-suffering with them in achieving the goal of unity. This is both a logical and a biblical principle. See Colossians 3:12-15.
- We will all need to maintain a constant respect for God’s authority, willingly submitting to it. No genuine unity can exist without that.
- When disagreements arise, as they surely will, unity demands that we continue to show an abundant love for one another, John 13:34-35.
- We will always need to be alert for indications that we may be drifting away from God’s way, the standard, Hebrews 2:1-3. David wrote: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore,” Psalm 133.
God commands it. It a reachable and wonderful goal. Let us continue on that path to harmony.
|
|
|
|
“If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand,”
“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?”
“It is not in numbers, but in unity that our strength lies,”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
