That They May Be One We Have Failed We are certainly not living up to Christ's clear instruction. Scripture unequivocally states that within God's Church we must coexist in unity and oneness. The dispersed church groups – as they are today – amount to a disbanding of the children of God, and that is most definitely not God's Will. Indeed, a terrible thing has happened. We are no longer able to go to the Feast with all of our friends and brethren. The Church of God has become scattered. Families and friendships have been broken up. Large numbers of God's children have little or nothing to do with God's children in other groups. It is deplorable the way friends and brethren have gone in opposite directions. How many "friendships" in the Church were like the morning dew, which vanishes with the first hint of summer heat? Too many of our brothers and sisters have given up any hope of a far-reaching fellowship. What has happened to the Church of God? The division we are experiencing is destructive to the Body of Christ. We have come to a time when we claim "fellowship of the Spirit," while justifying our separation from other Christians. Organization is necessary – it is not wrong in and of itself. Somebody has to put the Feast together, provide halls for Sabbath services, publish the Truth, preach the gospel, help to administer third tithe, etc. However, when "organization" begins to supplant the honor, obedience, veneration, and reverence due only to God, we have bowed to an idol. The Scriptures describe the characteristics that set the true Church apart. Oh, we learned about pork, birthdays, and make-up; but did we learn the most important doctrine of all – how to support one another fully in our walk in the Truth? We learned a form of religion, but how many of us acquired the substance of Christianity? The most important unifying doctrine – the one which is so often overlooked – is the command to love one another and to help one another into the Kingdom of God. We are told to love our enemies. Certainly, we should willingly extend our love to all the brethren. Historically, there have always been a few saints who did not seek the approval of men, but held fast to the Truth. Those who looked to men instead of God suffered great ruin. Those who have returned to the world, and its corrupt beliefs, are not able to uphold the Truth. It is only true Christians, led by God's Holy Spirit, who are able to maintain the Truth. Today the separated children of God can hardly be identified. How can so weak a people preserve the Truth of God? The Body of Christ is made up of many parts. However, if those parts are not fitly joined together, how can the Truth be defended? Safeguarding the Truth is our obligation. What if the Truth were not available to our children and grandchildren? What a travesty that would be! We must pass the Truth on. "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) How many people left the Church over the years because there was a lack of real unity and love expressed among the brethren? Why did so few people, comparatively speaking, respond positively to the preaching of the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God when it was going to the entire world in such power? Let us not assume that the Church was perfect in every way. It was not! And it is not perfect now! Sadly, within God's scattered Church today, there is precious little desire for unity. No matter what men may think – God is not pleased. Jesus Christ tells us we must work for unity. Something is terribly wrong with the concept of Christians going their separate ways. We should be able to recognize other Christians, regardless of organization. Most brethren would openly admit that "there are Spirit-led Christians in all the groups." What then prevents our "fellowship of the Spirit" with like-minded brethren? "Stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the Faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27) The Church is not striving together. It is breaking into many sub-parts, all striving alone. "I will build My Church," Jesus said. "My Church!" We belong to Christ! Paul said, "Ye are Christ's." (1 Corinthians 3:23) When He looks down from His heavenly throne, Jesus wants to see one church – not a lot of isolated groups. So, what is going on? We must begin to look past the artificial organizational lines, and to think of the Church of God as Christ wants it to be – as one. Are we sure that we understand the answer to Paul's question, "Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:13) Christ is not divided. We all know that. But do we understand this – that the Body of Christ, His Church, is not supposed to be divided? This is a true principle that must be pondered: The Church of God is not divided. We, the called-out ones, led by God's Holy Spirit, are the Church of God. The Church of God is the Body of Christ. Christ is not divided. Therefore, if we are Christ's, we, too, must not be divided! Are we not the one true Church? Where then is our unity? How is it that we have failed to have the remarkable unity Christ desires in us? "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) The concept of all of us "being one as Christ and the Father are one" is the most important and challenging task before Christians at this time. The Church has not humbled itself and become unified – not even to fulfill the last expressed desire of Jesus. We will give an answer to Christ if we fail to do everything possible to achieve unity with all the saints. The reality of unity and oneness among God's children will be His determining factor, not only as to who is protected and hidden in the place of safety, but also for salvation itself. Notice the time setting for our last chance to bring about oneness in the body of believers. God warns us to take the initiative to gather together in unity and oneness, before it is too late. "Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together . . ., before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Seek you the Lord, all ye meek of the earth . . ., it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-3) Zephaniah means "Hidden by the Eternal God." God is saying that He hides those who have the goal, not of staying separated from, or of dividing the brethren, but of unifying the hearts and minds of the brethren. If we patiently endure the trials of this life, while making the sacrifice of laying down our lives for the brethren, we will escape the Tribulation that will come on all the earth. Laying down our lives for the brethren is one of the ways we overcome Satan (Revelation 12:11). "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Restoring the broken bonds of love is the sacrifice of laying down our lives. God's Holy Spirit makes oneness possible. Ancient Israel could not please God because they did not have His Spirit. However, God has made it possible for those of us with His Spirit to carry out His Will. We must present to the world this example of unity and oneness that Jesus Christ our Lord desires. God held ancient Israel responsible for breaking His covenant with them – and they did not have His Spirit as we do. God sent Israel into captivity for their failure to be an example to the world. We do not need to make a worse mistake! For those of us, who are led by God's Spirit, the penalty for such failure would be much greater than national captivity. It is important that we learn from history's example. Israel fell in the desert, and ultimately to the armies of Assyria and Babylon. What will be the result if we fail to become the unified Christian body we were called to be? Not necessarily unified in corporation or organization – but integrated through a common bond of love that knows no bounds! Some have taken the attitude that they are too good to deal with those who do not measure up to their high standard. This is spiritual arrogance. Our purpose in the Church is not just to be a part of our “special group,” concerned only with preparing ourselves; because if we are concerned only for ourselves to the exclusion of others, we are failing. "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." (Luke 17:33) Those who are only interested in preparing themselves, while neglecting the spiritual welfare of their brethren, have fallen for the deception of Cain. He asked in Genesis 4:9, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer, for us, must be a humble, "Yes, I am my brother's keeper." "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3) Sorrowfully, today our coming together in unity is more of a sentiment than a fact. The scattering and disunity of God's children continues. Isolated and independent Christians are more the rule today than the exception. Too many are inclined to pray "My Father" rather than follow Jesus' instruction to pray the collective, "Our Father". The collective "Our" rules out a relationship with God that excludes our brethren. It is too easy to fall into the comfortable "You and me, Lord" mode. This view that "He's my God, and not yours" is much too prevalent in God's Church – and that is not right. That is not what God intends. He is our Father – and that lumps us all together as His children. Christianity is a not a spectator activity; it is a hands-on, fully committed group endeavor. Our responsibility and obligation as a people is to promote the cause of unity and oneness among all of God's children. "This commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." (1 John 4:21) |
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