CHRISTIAN UNITY WHY SO REMOTE?

 

google_ad_client = “pub-3769801306765944″; /* 234×60, created 7/30/08 */ google_ad_slot = “6656363308″; google_ad_width = 234; google_ad_height = 60; google_cpa_choice = “”; // on file // –>

// –>// –>

Just recently the Pope signed a peace agreement with Moslem leaders promising peace and respect between the two religions, and promising to respect other denominations. How worthy of confidence is this peace agreement, and what will be its life span?

It is said that, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matt.12:25).

Unfortunately, this is the predicarment of the Christian religion. The credibility of the Christian religion is dwindling because of their disunity, not only among other religions, but also among the Christian community. To be divided and live in confusion, is not the will of Jesus Christ for his followers. He is not the author of confusion, but the author of peace, and this spirit should prevail in all the churches of the saints.

Why so much divisions and contentions in the Christian community, when Jesus Christ is not the author of confusion?

SECTARIANISM

Confusion exists among the Christian community because of sectarianism, which is the spirit or the tendencies to adhere strongly to a particular religious sect.

Sectarianism is not allowed in the first place. It goes contrary to what the lord intends. John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to cast out a demon and we prevented him, because he was not associating with us.But jesus said, "Do not prevent him, for no one who works a miracle in my name, can in the next moment say anything bad about me. He who is not of the contrary is on our side.9:38-40).

Sectarianism is also a sin. The Apostle Paul made an earnest plea to all Christians saying, "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1Cor.1:10).

The mere fact that one claims to be a member of a particular religious denomination, and do not mingle themselves with other believers, is division, and tantamounts to sin. The apostle made this distinctly clear when he said, "Now, I say this; that each of you says; "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ.Is there division in Christ? Was it Paul who suffered on the cross for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1Cor.1:12-13).

Thirdly, sectarianism is earthly. It implies that people are not watchful of the things of God, but are watchful of the things of men. It relates to people who do not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him/her; nor can they know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Carnality is the main cause of envy, strife, and contention. It originates from a mind which is in conflict with God, and which is not subject to the principles of God, and can never be. The apostle Paul showed that, where envy, strife, and division exist, believers are acting as mere men, and are carnal? For when one says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another, "I am a follower of Apollos" Are you not sensual?

How can we put an end to sectarianism?

To avoid sectarianism we must all admit that, we all know in part, and we prophesy in part, but the real antidote is:-

We must all return to the true form of worship, and to do that, we must;

A. Stop holding in contempt, the commandment of God, by clinging on to our own tradition.

In quoting the prophet Isaiah Jesus said, " Isaiah truly prophesied of you hypocrites, saying: "This people praise me with their lips, but their heart is not close to me. Their worship of me is of no importance, for they teach as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men" (Mk. 7:7-8).

Jesus said to them, "All too well you refuse to keep the commandment of God, so as to keep your own tradition.7:9).

According to Christian theology, a tradition is an unwritten precept or doctrine proclaimed to have been received from Jesus and his disciples, and has been handed down orally by succeeding generations.

Sectarianism cannot be resolved by promulgating men's doctrines, it will rather expand it. Jesus said, "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. "On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord' have we not preached in your name, drive out demons in your name, and done many miracles in your name? And then I will openly announce to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.7:21-23).

B. Glorify God in spirit and truth.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "You worship what you do not know; we (Jews) know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. The Father is seeking for true worshipers to worship him in spirit and truth, and the hour for such worship has come. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (Jn.4:22-24).

Salvation is from the Jews, because only to them has God revealed his true form of worship. With regards to true worship, the Prophet Isaiah wrote; "Thus says the lord: 'Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you will build me? And the place of my rest, where is it? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word" (Isa.66:1-2).

Believers are like living stones that are being built into a spiritual house. They also are a holy priesthood, to offer to God spiritual sacrifices which is acceptable to him through Jesus Christ. 2:5). Coming together as living stones, is the temple and place of rest the lord is expecting.

Spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ constitute of:-

1. Present our bodies a living sacrifice, sinless, and pleasing to God, this is our spiritual act of worship. 12:1).

2. Giving to God the sacrifice of praise, that is the words of our mouths. Giving thanks in the name of Jesus.13:15).

 

3. Offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord, and place your trust in him.4:5).

4. The burning of spiritual incense, which is figurative to the prayers of the saints (Rev.5:8; Isa.66:3).

5. In recognition of his goodness, a gift from our hands, especially on the days he has set aside to appear before him. As it is written.; "Three seasons in the year all your males shall come and worship before me.They shall not appear before the Lord with nothing in their hand.23:15; Deut. 16:16).

Spiritual sacrifices are presented to the Father in a holy, perfect, blameless, irreproachable state, by the offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ to the Father for the remission of our sins.

The apostle Paul alluded to this by saying, "I speak as to wise men: judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks, is it not the sharing of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the mutual relation of the body of Christ? For we being many members, are one bread and one body; for we all are partakers of that one bread. 10:15-17).

Mortal sinful man cannot offer him'herself to the Father as a spiritual sacrifice, not until Jesus Christ as the High priest offer himself to the Father as the propitiation for our sins. It is the responsibility of every high priest to offer both gifts and sacrifices. As High Priest it is necessary that Jesus Christ also has something to offer.For every high priest elected from among men is ordained to interceed on behalf of men, in things pertaining to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.8:3;5:1).

Christian unity is possible, but only when the true spiritual sacrifice is offered, and true worship of God according to his word is restored. In this regard no Christian unity is feasible, unless they are compelled to adhere to laws which are contrary to the will of God.

 

 

 

 

Popularity: 4% [?]