Editor’s

Page

United We Stand,

Divided We Fall

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

“Unity” is the last part of the words community and opportunity. Do you think that there may be

some significance to this fact? I think so!

A community does not cohabit peacefully unless there is the opportunity to love, and this opportunity is always present as a choice. If opportunity and community are a team and love is the goal, then it surely will manifest the Love of God being shed forth among us as disciples, and fellow-believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sadly, this is not the case, far too often. Many times love is set aside and the result is dissension and division. Factions, motivated by self-interest, resist the teachings of Jesus while seeking to justify their position. What follows is a polarization to a particular cause or person that hardens the hearts of those who take up such a cause.

This is not new to our day. It existed even in the early church in the form of Gnosticism when its false doctrines played a detrimental part in upsetting the unity of the church at its inception. Polarization around leaders was as big a problem then and the Apostle Paul had to deal with it. Listen to his words in 1 Corinthians 1:10-16: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you… One of you says, ‘I follow Paul;’ another, ‘I follow Apollos;’ another, ‘I follow Cephas;’ still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)”

If the church down through the ages had taken the opportunity to love one another and give liberty, as Jesus admonished, we would today all be but one community of His followers. But since this is not the case, what should our attitude be toward other Christian groups?

Should we look down on them because we feel only we have “The Truth” and they do not? Our answer to this question will reveal a mind-set or attitude that will or will not be pleasing to God. Without hesitation, I would venture to say that no one group can make the claim that only they have “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Even the Apostle Paul, with visions he could not reveal, said in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that he did not comprehend everything: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

If we accept this evaluation of the Apostle Paul’s, shouldn’t it make us more open to other Christians who do not see the Scriptures as we do, if indeed they have as their foundation the Cross of Christ? They may indeed, be wrong in some of their beliefs, but it may also be that we could well be wrong in some areas of our understanding. Is it essential that unless others agree totally with us, we cannot work with them in the cause of spreading the good news of the gospel of the kingdom? If we see others striving to follow the Lord Jesus; preaching Christ crucified and risen again; bearing the fruitage as they are transformed by the Holy Spirit; and giving us the same liberty to differ as we give them, why shouldn’t we be able to fellowship in the love of Christ, as we focus, together, on what the Apostle Paul believed was primary, namely, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified?” Is it not possible for us to fellowship and work together?

Please do not misunderstand. What we believe is important and we should adhere to our beliefs, as long as they are not merely interpretations but are clear teachings from God’s Word. So many doctrines, considered “truth,” are based on what men think the Scriptures are saying. To be dogmatic about what the Scriptures do not clearly teach is a dangerous position to take, because it closes the door to any further consideration. As a popular saying puts it, “If you always think what you always thought, you will always get what you always got,” and you will continue to keep a closed, dormant mind.

It would be wonderful if we could all be one worldwide “community” of believers who look for “opportunities” to agree with our fellow Christians, rather than seeking ways to disagree, thereby dividing our fellowship. Unfortunately, this will probably never happen before the Lord returns, for there is too much carnality and not enough love among us, nevertheless, as individuals, let us strive in love to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace!

E. Weeks