[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
In different arenas of society, people of common interests will assemble a unique body. This body of individuals can stand as one based upon a shared platform of beliefs. We understand this quite well during election years when different candidates are running for an office. Reporters will compare the candidates stand against the political party. Usually a political party will be united in their stands on certain subjects (i.e. abortion, capital punishment, unemployment, tax rates, etc.). This unity that exists allows harmony among its members. People of the world are able to recognize when there is unity or discord.
In the New Testament we read about a unity that is to be had by God’s children. While Jesus was living on Earth He prayed for the unity that ought to exist today. Jesus prayed for a unity that existed in the Godhead (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to be existent among the members of the Church (Jn. 17:21). Paul desired for the church at Corinth to be one with the same mind and judgment (1 Cor. 1:10). Neither Paul nor Jesus expected the impossible. Rather than throwing the towel in declaring it is impossible, we can look to the Scriptures to see how unity can exist. Unity can only exist when all share and respect the same platform. God has given us the platform to be on to have unity.
The platform that unites Christians across the globe and generations is the Bible, God’s inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God’s word is the common factor when people know it and will be able to share it with others. Peter aptly said, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). People will only be able to speak as the ‘utterances of God’ when people know the ‘utterances of God.’ Therefore each member is able to think with the same mentality and share the same judgment when the Bible is used as the standard.
Unity in both word and action is perfectly illustrated in the Old Testament. There were times in Israel’s history where the Law was discarded and not respected. After a long period of time lapsed, individuals could go back to the Law and worship just like the Israelites did in the days of Moses and Joshua. We can read of the events that took place in the days of Josiah (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chron. 34-35). After reading the accounts, we can note how Josiah began to seek the Lord (2 Chron. 34:3), began to purge the land of idolatry (2 Chron. 34:3-7), made provisions to repair the temple (2 Chron. 34:8) humbled himself when he heard the Law (2 Kings 22:11), made a covenant to obey the Law before the Lord (2 Kings 23:3, 2 Chron. 34:31), commanded the observance of the Passover (2 Chron. 35:16-19), and continued to walk uprightly in the Lord all of his days (2 Kings 23:24-25, 2 Chron. 35:26-27). These things were able to be done because of the unity that resides in the Scriptures. When people respect and observe the word of God, people will live united in the same mind and judgment.
Today people will settle with compromise without striving for unity that is based upon Scriptures. Compromising Scripture for the desires of man is evident with the “rubber stamping” of Christ, Church, or ministry to activities in order to authorize actions that the gospel does not authorize. Examples would include motorcycle ministries, basketball ministries, Hilltoppers for Christ, and the list can continue without end. I recall tuning in to the 700 Club while surfing the channels one day and the program was praising a Methodist group for constructing a skate park for the local children behind their church building. If you were to ask for the authorization and documentation that would allow the permission of construction, they would only be able to give the permits and authorization granted by men.
This is the social gospel at its best by the work of Satan. The social gospel misconstrues and perverts the nature of the gospel of Christ for the purpose of entertainment. Paul said that it is not a surprise for men to disguise themselves as apostles of Christ when Satan himself uses the disguise of an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Examination of our actions is demanded in order to be able to say all is done in the name of Christ (Col. 3:17). Compromising may establish a false peace among people, but unity as it is found in the Scriptures is lost.
Now it is easier to point out the faults in denominational and institutional groups than realizing the faults that may exist among our brethren. The plea of unity is not a plea for division, but rather a plea for further study on issues that divide brethren. Of recent years topics that have caused disagreements would include fellowship with those who teach error, MDR, observances of the Lord’s Supper in a second assembling on Sundays, and other topics could be listed as well. Just as Moses was charged to ‘make all things according to the pattern’ (Heb. 8:5), we today must also do the same. The answer to these questions must begin with the Scriptures, not a “behold I thought” mentality if unity is to be existent.
Unity is possible. Josiah was able to worship as designed by God in spite of the generations that had lapsed without proper observances. Even if it seems no one else is striving to please God, this leaves no excuse for me to ignore God’s instructions. Jesus knew that we could be set apart by God’s word and be apart of His body (Jn. 17:17, 21). If it is impossible for people to be united together in truth, it is equally impossible for us to be united with Christ. Without being united with Christ and sharing fellowship with Him, we have no hope of eternal life (1 Jn. 5:10-12). John said that we have been given understanding concerning the Christ (1 Jn. 5:21). If unity cannot exist upon the terms of the Bible, then John, Paul, and the rest of the apostles lied and died for an impossible cause. If this one thing falls, we are left without hope.
A unity among brethren may require several changes like the changes that needed to be made at Corinth, but change and unity is possible if we will humble ourselves. Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 some of the individuals that will not inherit the kingdom of God. In order for such individuals to qualify for the inheritance, change is required. What is even more interesting is that the listed types of individuals described some of the members at Corinth! Paul said “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). The Corinthians and Josiah were ordinary people like people today. We have the same mental capacity and can comprehend information just as easily as people of times past. What may separate us from the Corinthians and Josiah is a humble heart that desires to serve God instead of ourselves. If the Corinthians could have the same mind and judgment (1 Cor. 1:10) and Josiah could worship like those in the days of Samuel (2 Chron. 35:18), we can be united in the word of God as well!
Hopefully the serious nature and importance of unity can be seen. When unity is absent, there is discord and compromise. Paul warned about those who taught another gospel other than what had been delivered (Gal. 1:6-10). Those who choose to please men will not have a Biblical unity and will stand accursed. In spite of the attitude of the impossible nature of unity or a united comprehension of Scriptures, those who love the truth must strive to have the same mind and judgment. Though we may be many, we can be one in Christ.
