Unity --- A Vital Need
Unity in truth is the constant theme of the inspired writers. The passages dealing with the sin of division and the importance of unity have become classic, and have found their application to specific error and false teachers for many generations now. These passages include John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6, to mention some of the more familiar. This treatise is not written to prove that division is sinful, but to urge that unity is attainable.
Many brethren are justly concerned about conditions among some of the conservative brethren and churches. It has long since become common-place for us to hear of churches openly dividing because of a doctrinal breach that existed. When determined brethren, characterized by a spirit of departure, press their opinionated-dictations and unauthorized practices upon the whole congregation, forcing them to violate their conscience or get out, I have but admiration for those who must walk away from their meeting houses and start anew elsewhere. Most of this talk about measures of reconciliation by self-styled peacemakers is but a waste of time. These innovators are, by and large, hell-bent and will not return again to truth.
However, we are aware of a much sadder condition among "us." This I mean, that not every difference is a matter which ought to allow us to "break fellowship" with other Christians, or divide a congregation. The reason I would not worship with those who might bring in the instrument is that true worship would be destroyed. (John 4:24) I could not contribute into a treasury if I knew the funds of the congregation were to be used to support such violations as charitable and missionary societies other than the congregation itself. However, there is an area of difference in which an open breach would not be demanded, or even approved by heaven.
It would appear that some insist that loyalty to a certain preacher is loyalty to truth. Or, all must be convinced that Paul had eye-trouble as his "thorn in the flesh" and really wrote Ephesians to Laodicea before he can be sound. Please understand that compromising truth is never to be tolerated, but must a new congregation be formed every time we have an area of disagreement in matters of judgment. The worst devil in hell could conceive no better plan for defeating us than has been executed, in many instances by well-meaning brethren, of starting splinter-groups around over the country over matters of opinion that could otherwise have been settled by level-headed and fair-minded brethren. I am conscious of my own defects and poor judgments as anybody, and do not suppose that I could settle all or most of these petty differences over opinions, but there must be some better way to "settle" these problems than to "split up." The digressive brethren have charged us with being "aginners," and "rabble rousers" and some have acted like it is so. We find little comfort for our own anxieties in the fact that the liberals are having trouble with extremists and reactionaries, also.
Brethren who have had their troubles over the "issues" and have had to start over should now be in a period of "reconstruction." In these areas of difference, could we not find a common ground for unity? I remember someone saying that unity is as much spirit as method. It will do little or no good to sit at the conference table and discuss method of agreement, unless we feel the need and have the mutual desire for such. Unity is the natural result of right-doing. Unity in truth does not come about by deciding to agree, but by each doing that which God requires. But in areas of judgment each can, and must, give some ground and find some point of agreement to all fair-minded men. Paul urges, "Make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through faction or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others." (Philippians 2:2-4)
In doing this I may not project myself as the "leader" or demonstrate my own forcefulness, but it can work for oneness in service to Christ. "Going the second mile" in matters of judgment will tend to unify the conservative brethren and cause us to obey Paul's injunction to put forth some definite effort: "With longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2, 3)