On Unity

by    Dr. Ed Engle                                                                                                                                               Vol. VI, No. 4, May 1993

[Ed Engle is pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church near Fredericksburg.]

There has been a lot of talk of late concerning unity. Some of it has been positive, but sadly too much has missed the biblical mark.

One of the first things we must do as we consider this topic is to be certain we are using the Bible to mold our decisions about unity and not a man's opinion. In Jude we are commended to "contend earnestly for the faith once and all delivered to the saints." This does not refer to the opinions of the 20th century liberal or even our own personal views, no matter how conservative we may be. It is speaking of that doctrine which has come down to us in the Scriptures.

There is no instance in the Bible where the people of God are expected to jettison biblical teachings for the sake of an artificial unity. The only lasting, real, and pure unity is that which centers around the person of Christ. Unity achieved on any other basis is both artificial and superficial. Jesus clearly says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Should these commandments be ignored, watered down, expanded, or out and out disobeyed, love for our Lord is not being shown and true unity cannot exist.

We have been told that we are to be in the world and yet at the same time not of the world. Yet it seems that the church is so busy today attempting to emulate the world in the way she conducts her affairs. As a result, much of the worldly system has crept into the church, especially this holy grail of unity. And this cause is obsessed with unity even at the expense of biblical doctrine.

Does biblical teaching against homosexuality divide? – then begone with it, many would say. Does biblical inerrancy ruffle the feathers of some Southern Baptists? – then by all means we can sacrifice this doctrine as well ... or perhaps just not mention it; we wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable! To quote Dr. Adrian Rogers, "We must never sacrifice truth on the altar of unity."

The unity we need is a unity of spirit that can only be had by yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit. Remember, this is the same Spirit Who gave us the inerrant Word of God. He will not call us to any type of unity which compromises that Word.

Finally, keep in mind that the Word of God is described in Hebrews 4:12 as sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit. In Matthew 10:34 Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

It should be evident that this superficial modern idea of complete peace and unity within the church is not a biblical teaching but rather a false idea being promoted by men. Any time the Word of God is preached, there will always be division: a division between those who accept and believe the Word and those who reject it and place their judgment above the Bible.

As long as the Word of God is taught, preached, and believed, you can be assured that there will be no peace. There will always be those who reject that Word. We are to love them, pray for them, but we are never to compromise the perfect Word of God. If and when we do make that terrible trade, what we really do is throw away our peace and position with Christ in favor of peace and position with men! May God preserve us from such sin.