Unity at Any Cost? (Bulletin Article for November 12)
Many in the religious world want to fulfill Jesus’ prayer that all of His followers would be “one” (John 17:21). Trying to fulfill that prayer is admirable, but, sadly, many are trying to fulfill it in all the wrong ways.
Many are willing to overlook what they would deem “petty” or “unimportant” differences in doctrine in order to have unity. Some claim that using mechanical instruments of music in worship just is not an important issue anymore. Others (including, tragically, some in churches of Christ) say that how a person is saved is not important, only that he or she is “saved.”
We need to remember that there is more to John 17:21. That part of Jesus’ prayer says, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they all may be One in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Do you see the difference in just striving for unity at any cost and striving for unity as that for which Jesus prayed? He wants His followers to be one as He and His Father are one.
What does that entail? Jesus and the Father have no disagreements over teaching. They are perfectly united in all aspects. Jesus did not come to the world to change what the Father had said, but to fulfill it (cf. Matthew 5:17)!
Knowing that, why would we want to unify, when the unity so many seek is not real unity?
The religious world has, quite simply, fallen into the trap of relativism. If someone believes in God, then that’s okay, as long as he or she is trying. What’s right for you may not be what I believe, but we’re both trying, so we’re both okay.
While that may sound nice, it is not what Jesus prayed for. Let’s not fall into the trap of unity at any cost. Let’s seek true unity. It can only be found in agreement on God’s Word.
