The Truth about the Unity of the Spirit
Most people know that American Christians
are not known for their humble attitudes and unity. In fact, recent studies
indicate that Christians are not even known for their being like Christ. (Read
“UnChristian” a book by David Kinaman and Gabe Lyons.)
It appears that to most
Christians, being doctrinally correct is more important than getting along with
each other or anyone else for that matter. Which raises the question; does the unity
of His Spirit mean agreeing on the facts about Christ? If it does, then the
“church” has failed miserably for 2000 years.
Will mankind really be damned for
not having their theology correct? Is this all there is? Did Christ die on the cross
so we all could be theologically correct? Or worse yet, did Christ make a
mistake risking His validity on His people getting along instead of being
biblically correct?
“that they all may be one, as You, Father
are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that
You sent me.” (John
17:21)
Is it possible that the whole
idea about having the right facts about Christ is not at all what Christ meant
about unity when He spoke the aforementioned verse? Though knowing and obeying Christ are crucial
in having fellowship with anyone who calls himself a Christian, we would like to
submit to the reader that having the correct facts about Christ has little or
nothing to do with the Unity of His Spirit.
In fact we believe that trying to
have all the correct information about Christ is the main reason there is no
visible and practical unity in Christianity in this country. He who is
primarily built up in knowledge will be subject to arrogance...
“Now concerning things offered to idols; We
know that we all have knowledge, (but) knowledge makes arrogant …. (1 Corinthians 8:1)
…and arrogant people cannot get
along. If we are to ever reveal the faith that was “once delivered to the Saints”
it will begin with knowing that opinions (even correct ones) cannot
produce Oneness. The powerful revelatory unity Christ spoke of is only produced
when people are dedicated to obeying Christ through loving one another; not
trying to sort out the facts about Christ or His scriptures.
Many years ago I was approached
by a man who said he wanted to get to know me and have fellowship. Not more
than a few minutes into the conversation he asked me if I baptized with
emersion or sprinkling. Now I thought that was rather an odd question to ask
somebody you desired fellowship with, so I asked him why did he desired to
know. His reply basically indicated that he wanted to know what I believed so
he could know if he had “unity” with me.
I thought for a moment and said that I
wouldn't tell him the answer. He looked very puzzled and asked why? I proceeded to tell him that giving my
opinion at this time would not profit either of us nor bring either of us any
closer to each other. If I said I agreed with what he considered the correct
mode of baptism he would then form a unity with me based on our opinions. If I
said something different than he believed he would then separate from me. Neither
of our opinions could produce the oneness of Christ so I declined to give my
answer.
I then began to express my desire for the Unity of the Spirit between us
so we could build a lasting relationship that was based on our obedience to Christ’s
command to love. He proceeded to tell me
that unless we could agree on “the truth” we could not walk together. He then
asked me what I would do if I needed to baptize someone and the person didn’t
agree with my “interpretation of truth”.
I said I would begin walking to the
place of baptism and pray for God to bring us into the unity of the Faith. If
we could not agree by the time we reached the water and he still wanted me to
baptize him, I would ask that we wait on instructions from Christ. If he had wanted
someone else to sprinkle him and he did it out of obedience to Christ I would
rejoice in his baptism and if it mattered to God He would show him what’s true.
My confidence would not be in what I believe about the correct mode of baptism
but in the One who cares about us and would see to it that, as we continue to
love one another, lead us into all
truth. I believe that if we waited together preserving the unity of the Spirit,
and the issue really mattered to Him, He will guide us into all truth. The
terrible truth is that things we are willing to divide over, usually come from
our pride and God hates both our pride and the resulting division. (Luke 16:15)
It is interesting that in the 4th chapter of Ephesians the Unity of
the Spirit in verse 3 is mentioned before the Unity of the Faith in verse 13. The
nine verses in between 3 and 13 are about the importance of us realizing and maintaining
our oneness. The whole chapter seems to indicate that without staying in the
Unity of the Spirit we will not attain the Unity of the Faith.
It is the
oneness with my brothers and sisters that allows the fullness of Christ to be
shared among us all. Learning to speak the truth in love to each other keeps us
from the trickery and deceitful scheming of men and allows us to attain to the
wisdom of understanding that is given to us in Christ, because we are sharing
in His Fullness.
How horrid is this matter of personal interpretation of the
Scriptures coupled with not trusting God. What hatred and cruelty has been
unleashed on the sons of men through men’s opinions of scriptures and what they
deem “the plain truth”.
How Christ’s glory has been drug through the muck and
mire of men’s private interpretation of scripture resulting in the revelation
of hell instead of Heaven. Doesn’t all of this seem to reveal a fundamental
lack of trust in God Himself? If we really believe He is the Truth shouldn’t we
trust He will reveal himself to all who truly want to do his will ?( John 7:17)
Is He any less capable of appearing to the Sauls of the 21rst century and by
His own power change their hardened minds than He was 2000 years ago? Cannot He
still set up situations where the “cock crowing” reveals the true condition of the
self deceived man?
If wives are encouraged to continue in chaste and respectful
behavior for the correcting of their disobedient husbands rather than pressing
the issue, why can’t we do the same when our brothers disagree with us? (1
Peter 3:1) The answer to these questions is simple ….we don’t trust Him…
specifically to do something… so we make a divisive stand for the truth and
walk away feeling like a great defenders of the Faith. Our emphasis is not His
….which is to win the brother not the argument.
The Lord Jesus has made himself
clear…no one will believe that Christ is sent from God because what you are
saying is correct, makes sense, or is even biblically correct. They (unbelievers) will know that
Christ is sent by God by observing the oneness they in see in you with God and
your Christian brothers. (John 17: 20, 21)
They will not know that you are His disciple because you know the bible well,
go to church, become a pastor, evangelist, missionary, or by correcting them
when they cuss, but by the patience and
kindness (love) you practice toward your Christian brothers and sisters.
It
is not what we know about Christ that saves us….rather it’s knowing Christ and
it is not what we know about Christ that will save our friends from error…It is
our knowing Christ.
