RELIGIOUS UNITY
It is apparent that there is widespread religious division in our day. Driving through large cities or small towns, one will see numerous houses of worship. Each place of worship has been established by a church (denomination) that has its own denominational name, doctrines, and practices. The doctrines and practices of one church often contradict the doctrines and practices of other churches. With such rampant religious division, is it possible for there to be unity among all who profess to follow Christ?
In response to that question, consider what Jesus prayed: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). Notice that Jesus prayed that all His followers would be “one,” just as He and the heavenly Father are one. However, the religious world of our day is divided, not united.
In addition to what Jesus prayed, consider what Paul wrote about unity: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). It was Paul’s desire that the church at Corinth have “no divisions.” How would Paul feel about all the “divisions” within the religious world today? Without a doubt, he would oppose such divisions.
But is unity possible? In a day when there are so many churches, doctrines, and practices is unity possible? Yes! All believers can be “one.” It is a possibility for there to be “no divisions” today.
The solution to religious division is set forth in the words of Philippians 3:16: “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” The remedy for division is to “walk by the same rule.” The rule by which followers of Christ are to walk is the word of God (cf. Acts 17:11; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16-17).
Religious division is the result of deviating from the Bible. Division is caused by “adding” to, or “taking away” from the teachings of the Bible. Every denominational name, doctrine, and practice would cease to exist if all would abandon religious traditions and honor the authority of God’s Word, the Bible. May we resolve that whatever we do in word or deed, we will do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).
