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UNITY OR D_I_V_I_S_I_O_N?
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1)! "...forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2_3).
"Unity" is one word that's being heard everywhere. There's a cry for unity both within and without the church world. Some Christians are criticizing this call for unity but Paul tells us that we are to "endeavour to keep the unity" (Ephesians 4:3). The Greek word for "endeavour" is "spoudazo" and means to labor, to be diligent, to exert oneself. As is obvious from this meaning, we can see that there is an effort involved in keeping unity. We are to work diligently to keep the unity. If your church is going to purchase paneling and Bro. A wants light paneling and you want dark paneling, it would be better for you to give in and get light paneling rather than have a split or hard feelings. Even if Bro. A seems to get his way most (or all) of the time, the main thing is to work at keeping unity.
Now, what if Bro. and Sis. B decide to hire a worldly singing group that only sings hymns or Sis. C wants her talented, but unsaved, husband to join the church orchestra? Does this mean that we are to try to unite the world with the church? Paul answers this question by telling us that there are conditions to be met while endeavouring to keep the unity.
Let's look at one of these CONDITIONS that Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:3. We are to work at keeping "the unity OF THE SPIRIT." Notice carefully that Christians are only to keep the unity IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT. We ARE NOT to keep or maintain unity IF there is a conflict with God's Word. Paul further verifies this point in Romans 15:5 where he says: "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be LIKEMINDED one toward another ACCORDING TO CHRIST JESUS."
Ephesians 4:13 also mentions that we are to keep "the unity OF THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son of God." In fact, Paul explains that we are to keep this unity of the faith in order that "we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..." (Ephesians 4:14). If we study what the Bible says and do accordingly, we won't be constantly tossed to and fro and we won't be carried away with every doctrine that comes along. If we know the Bible, we'll be able to stand firm on certain issues and we won't be swayed by Bro. D's theory when he speaks and thereafter waver and go along with Bro. E's theory when we hear him. Rather, we will be able to say "THUS SAITH THE LORD" and if Bro. D's and/or Bro. E's views don't agree with the Bible, no matter how fluent and how persuasive they may be, we'll not fall for the "cunning craftiness" of men but will remain firm upon the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus.
I well remember one banking class I had taken. When the teacher asked a question I raised my hand and gave my answer. He then asked the rest of the class how many thought I was wrong and EVERYONE raised their hands. Since I had studied the lesson I KNEW I was correct but NOT ONE of the other students would agree with me. The teacher then told the class that I was correct and they were all wrong. Now, what would have happened had I changed my mind and gone along with the majority? Would that have made me right because EVERYONE else thought they were correct? No, instead of ONE person being correct NO ONE would have been correct. In fact, had I gone along with the majority I would have been even more wrong than they were because I knew the truth and would have compromised what I had known to be right to be accepted by the majority. But I stood firm and it paid off. What made the difference? I STUDIED the book and KNEW what I had studied and even though the ENTIRE class was in disagreement with me I could STAND FIRM on my answer. It was also a great feeling to hear the teacher say that I was right. This is one reason why Paul writes: "STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed..." (II Timothy 2:15). We can stand firm even though most people will disagree with us and then one day we will hear our Master say "You were right, well done." So, by studying and knowing the Word of God (our lesson book) we will be better able to keep the UNITY OF THE FAITH.
This "unity of the faith," according to Jude 3, is also to be EARNESTLY CONTENDED for. The Greek word for "contend" is "epagonizomai" and means to strive, labor fervently, or fight for the faith. Our English word "agony" comes from this word, thus giving us an idea that A STRUGGLE WILL BE INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING THIS UNITY of the faith. But how can a Christian contend for the faith UNLESS he knows what he is to contend for? Because of this, a Christian MUST CAREFULLY STUDY God's Word in order to be able to know what the Bible says about different doctrines and issues. Once a Christian has sure footing on the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus, he won't be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). As Christians who are contending for the faith, we are involved in a warfare and we must actually fight, struggle, and strive to keep this unity. Unity, for the Christian, IS NOT a passive thing. We are to work and labor to maintain the kind of unity Jesus maintained even though division may follow. There is an action and EFFORT involved and sometimes this fight for right causes a DIVISION.
You may ask, "How can there be division when we are working for unity?" Actually, there HAS TO BE some type of division and separation to maintain the BIBLICAL unity of the Spirit and unity of the faith. While Christians are to endeavour to keep the unity, we also find that we will cause division. "But," you may say, "the Bible says 'mark them which cause division and AVOID them' and if someone is causing division shouldn't we avoid him?" The Bible does say to avoid those who cause division but let's correctly read the passage from Romans 16:17. It states: "...mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE WHICH YE HAVE LEARNED; and avoid them." Those who are causing division for the sake of the gospel ARE NOT to be avoided but rather we are to avoid those who are bringing in unscriptural doctrines and activities that are CONTRARY to God's Word. Jude tells us that "certain men crept in unawares" (Jude 4). The word "crept" in the Greek means "to slide in alongside of." It is people like this__those who subtilely come into the church and try to change the standards, doctrines, and "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3) that we are to avoid.
Division is not necessarily bad! Are you aware that one of the first things God did when He began His creation of the world was an act of DIVISION? In Genesis 1:4 we read: "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God DIVIDED the light from the darkness." This division between light and darkness, good and evil, must continue. Satan saw that he could not destroy God's church, so he has tried to infiltrate the church with false teachers. Satan comes as an "angel of light" and he also sends some of his ministers forth under the guise of "apostles of Christ" and "ministers of righteousness" (II Corinthians 11:13_15). These false ministers creep into the church "unawares" and Christ warns us: "Beware of false propets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15_16). This is another reason why we must know the Bible so we can tell if the fruit these people are bearing is in accordance with God's Word. We are to try to maintain unity but NEVER at the price of COMPRISING what the Bible teaches.
Jesus, the very Son of God, caused division time and time again and even said that He came to divide. In Luke 12:51 Jesus asks: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather DIVISION." We read of Jesus: "So there was a division among the people because of Him" (John 7:43); "And there was a division among them" (John 9:16); and "There was a division therefore AGAIN among the Jews for these sayings" (John 10:19). The divisions were caused not because of Jesus but because of the rebellious people who were unwilling to obey what Jesus had taught. This is why there will be divisions within the church. There will be a division between those who want to do what the Bible teaches and those who are unwilling to submit to Christ's authority. There will be those who will stand by the Word of God and there will be others who will want their own way REGARDLESS of what the Bible says.
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The "word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two_edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). A sword is an instrument that is used to divide and Hebrews 4:12 goes on to say that God's Word does divide. Each Christian is to be equipped with this sword for part of a believer's armor is "THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.." (Ephesians 6:17). This means that there may be times when believers will be engaged in a battle and will have to use their swords (the Word of God) thus causing a division between right and wrong. Paul frequently refers to the Christian life as a life of warfare. He charged Timothy to "FIGHT the good fight of faith....keep this commandment WITHOUT SPOT, unrebukeable, UNTIL the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (I Timothy 6:12, 14). Times may have changed but God's Word has not.
Paul not only tells us that we are in a warfare but he also tells us that we must PUT ON some armor in order to be effective in this warfare. Ephesians 6:11, 13: "Put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil....Wherefore, take unto you the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." What does the WHOLE ARMOR of God consist of?
1. "LOINS GIRT about with TRUTH" (Ephesians 6:14)__The Greek word for "girt" means "to gird all around" or "to fasten on one's belt." This means that we are to wrap God's Word ("Thy Word is truth," John 17:17) about us. The belt or girdle kept the armor in its proper place and tight. There was no room for "looseness" of one's convictions. This belt also supported the daggers, swords, and other weapons. We must familiarize ourselves with God's Word for it is this item that holds our weapons of warfare. We must know which weapon to use for each attack and by studying the Bible we will be more prepared to do so. As someone has said: "We are not to be satisfied with holding the truth, we must let the truth hold us."
2. "Having on the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Ephesians 6:14)__The breastplate consisted of two parts and extended from the neck to the legs. The main area that it protected was the heart and the vital organs. We need God's righteousness to protect our heart from any evil that would try to enter it. I Thessalonians 5:8 tells us to also put on the breastplate of faith and love.
3. "Your FEET SHOD WITH the preparation of THE GOSPEL OF PEACE" (Ephesians 6:15)__The Roman soldier had greaves (armor for the legs below the knees) and below these greaves were his shoes. On his shoes were nails which were able to grip the ground firmly. Even when the ground was slippery or sloping, the nails held the soldier FIRM and UPRIGHT. The gospel of peace will also hold us FIRM and SECURE.
4. "Above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16)__The shield was oblong in shape and covered the whole body and the armor. I John 5:4 says: "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." This shield of faith will help us to be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of Satan. The "fiery darts" were weapons that had firebrands or inflammable materials on their tips and were constructed to ignite into a fire. To keep the darts from penetrating, a soldier needed a shield that was made out of metal. We know that the "fiery darts of Satan" are not material weapons, so what could they possibly be? Some items "darted" into the mind include: lust, pride, revenge, passions, evil thoughts, "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication" (Colossian 3:8). There is no need for a Christian to sin for the shield of faith enables us to quench ALL (not some) of the fiery darts of Satan. We must ever be watchful and on guard, though, or Satan will see a weakness and try to make us fail. Peter warns: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the the faith..." (I Peter 5:8_9).
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5. "Take the HELMET OF SALVATION" (Ephesians 6:17)__The head is the most exposed part of the body and the helmet serves as its protection. We need Christ's salvation to fully protect us from the enemy's attacks.
6. "The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)__The parts of the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6:14_17 are DEFENSIVE. The sword, however, is both DEFENSIVE and OFFENSIVE. We do not only need to defend ourselves from Satan's blows, but we must also return these blows. The Word of God (our sword) is the weapon we use for this task. Jesus often fought Satan with the sword by saying: "It is written" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). If Jesus relied on the written Word of God, how much more must we?
In addition to our armor we need to add PRAYER: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18). Let's notice a few things about how we should pray:
A. "Praying always" (Ephesians 6:18)
B. "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17)
C. "Pray to the Father [God] in secret" (Matthew 6:16)
D. "Pray for them that despitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)
E. "Pray for one another" (James 5:16)
F. "When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7)
G. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41)
H. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:38)
I. "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1)
J. "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always" (Luke 21:36)
Prayer is VERY IMPORTANT in our Christian walk. It is through prayer that we are able to keep our armor on and fight effectively. Prayer brings us in contact with God and if we lose that contact through negligence, we become weak and ineffective. Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane while Peter slept but Christ was able to stand firm under testing and persecution while Peter denied even knowing Christ.
Along with prayer we are to be WATCHFUL and MAKE SUPPLICATION for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). We should pray that not only we ourselves STAND STEDFAST but that our brothers and sisters in Christ will also be able to REMAIN FIRM for only those who "ENDURE UNTO THE END" shall be saved (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). "For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence STEDFAST UNTO THE END" (Hebrews 3:14).
There is nothing wrong with division AS LONG AS the division is caused by trying to maintain the unity OF THE FAITH. Christians are to be a separated people. "Wherefore COME OUT from among them, and BE YE SEPARATE...and I will receive you" (II Corinthians 6:17). We are also told that Jesus was "SEPARATE from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26). Yes, Jesus did eat with the sinners BUT He did not COMPROMISE with them. His ways were separated from their ways. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15_16: "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." In fact, the word "sanctify" means "set apart" and all believers are to be a sanctified (or "set apart") people. Of course, Christians will not be the only ones causing division. Sinners will separate us from their company: "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company...for the Son of man's sake" (Luke 6:22). Those who usually cry the loudest for "unity" are also causing division because they do not want to be bound by what the Word of God has to say. The world's cry for unity usually means that a Christian is supposed to condone EVERYTHING a worldly_minded person is doing, but this has NOTHING to do with the Biblical command to maintain the unity OF THE FAITH. In trying to keep the unity of the faith, we must remember that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16_17).
__Dr. Cathy Burns