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 There
seems to be two general philosophies for attaining unity in
religion. One “school” urges men to find their own middle
ground — something on which all can agree — making whatever
compromise is necessary on the part of each human faction. The
other recognizes God’s truth as the only proper basis for
unity; but they find it difficult to agree on what constitutes
this truth, so they put their hopes in “unity in diversity”
— seeking a “level” of understanding acceptable to all
human parties, and expecting God to be satisfied with this
level.
In
each case men seem determined to whittle on God’s end of the
stick. All agree that unity demands a common ground, and since
we are thinking of unity in religion (before God) it follows
that God and man are the ultimate parties to be reconciled. God
must be taken into consideration; a “ground” found that is
acceptable to God as well as man. Man’s “free agency”
gives him the power of choice, to accept or reject, but when men
begin to “judge the law” and declare this part of God’s
law essential, that part non-essential, they are whittling on
God’s end of the stick. They act as though God had done
nothing — made no sacrifice — to unite men among themselves,
and to Himself.
Note:
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:19) Jesus said, “sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17) And
Jesus’ prayer for unity among men was a prayer for those who
“believe on me through
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their (Apostles, rt) word.” (Jn. 17:20) God’s
end of the stick includes the means (Christ) and the
instructions (inspired word) for unity acceptable to God.
To
contend that men can not come to a common understanding of God’s
word (of reconciliation) is to argue that God’s part is
imperfectly done. To require more, or less, or a substitution
for God’s word, is to reject the completeness of divinity. God
wants men united — apparently far more than we want to be
united. Have we no faith in God’s desire and plan?
When
two men understand and act upon a single step of God’s truth,
they are united upon that step. It doesn’t make them
fellow-Christians. but it makes them fellow-learners. If one
stops there, while the other continues to learn and obey, they
are separated — cease to be fellow -learners They can become
fellow -Christians by continuing to learn and obey God’s truth
(remember God determines this “level”, not man. This
discussed p. ii.) or they can be further separated by the
difference in their willingness to trust in God. (Matt. 10:32-f)
In all cases God furnishes the means of unity, but it is up to
man to use these means.
A
divided church is a monument to the shameful fact that men have
been and are unwilling to use God’s means of unity. Some may
be over—scrupulous (Rom. 14:) (see p. 7) and both “sides”
may err in understanding and practice but THE FAULT lays with
those who refuse to continue joint Bible study.
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