Scripture has the only plan or platform that meets God’s approval. It’s a plan with scope, object, affect, and application. Unity has Supreme importance because it is demanded by the Lord.
As we can see in John 17:20,21 Christ prayed for it.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, and for the future disciples that would come from their teaching the word. His prayer wasn’t universal. He knew the world at large wouldn’t be unified, but they should at least recognize that Jesus was sent from God.
Division among the ungodly, John 10:34-39
In some context, Jesus had been accused of blasphemy, due to calling himself a son of God.
Jesus used scripture to defend his claim. He appealed to the accepted trust that scripture cannot be broken). If Jesus claimed to be sent from God, he wouldn’t go against God by blaspheming him.
“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; John 10:37 (ESV)
Jesus had done great, noticeable, and remarkable works. He demanded that whether the religious leaders believed his claims, they have no ground to ignore the works. Ideally, they ought to understand the unity between Jesus and the Father.
Did they?
Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. John 10:39 (ESV)
Division is
- Contrary to the Spirit.
- Destructive to the Church and the souls of men.
Unity must become the goal of the individual who would be pleasing unto God.
Let’s return to look at the scope of Jesus’s prayer.
What did Jesus earnestly pray for? That they may all be one, Unity
What was the extent of the unity for which He prayed? Not only his present disciples but for future ones. Notice though, the Lack of mentioning the world in the same kind of unity. (more on this later)
The object, or purpose, of unity.
First of all, Jesus is in the father, and the father in him. They are united together. His prayer is for believers to also be united in “them”. That is, to be As one, united by the Holy Spirit.
The ultimate effect (or Goal) for believers is unity together and unity with him. The world, however, may remain divided, and not trust Christ, but through the unity of the church, they should believe God sent Jesus.
What is the implication for the various Christian denominations?
Is it bad or wrong, for religious division and denominationalism to exist? Does it a sign of being unfaithful? Unity among believers is the effective weapon against infidelity and atheism.
Is it possible to reunite denominations?
For example: Bringing together all the fragmented varieties of Baptist back into only one group known as Baptist? How about Bringing all the flavors of pentecostalism and Methodism back under one roof of Anglicanism? How about reconciling the Anglicans to the Presbyterians to the Lutherans or the Catholics?
Focus on a core belief. The body has many parts. Each being very different but all in one body. Embrace the same core doctrines of theology in the trinity, salvation, and the consequences of sin. Graciously recognize differences and how those differences serve the body.
There should be divisions with the world.
The Lord recognizes no cause for division as just, except truth. Peace must not be bought at the expense of truth. Truth should not be sacrificed or compromised
Wait. Should we sacrifice peace for truth then?
Time to review what’s happening in Matthew 10, especially in verses 34-39.
First some context:
In verses 1-15, the disciples were given authority to heal and preach. but were limited to Judah, they were to take no money, clothes, or provisions, Staying in one house, and blessing it. If not received in a house or city, they were to shake the dust off their feet and leave it for God to judge.
Jesus advised them to act as sheep among wolves. To be shrewd as a serpent, and as innocent as a dove. Continuing in verses 16-20 he warned them to beware of men who will hand them over, and be whipped. They would testify to governors, even to gentiles. Jesus assured them to not worry about what to say, since the Holy Spirit will give them words to say when they need them.
Verses 21-25 warn they will be betrayed to death by brother, father, and child. They will be hated and Persecuted. It’s OK, flee from city to city. They should expect this since a disciple is not above his teacher.
Jesus demands his disciples to not fear men. Verses 26-35 continue with another command, to Speak the truth, and if anything to fear God who can kill both the body and soul. If God watches sparrows, and numbers hairs, we can be assured our pain isn’t going unnoticed. Maybe the most assuring claim is that Jesus confesses before his Father those who confess him. He also will Deny before God, those who deny him.
Matthew 10:34-39
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
As believers, we need to be united to the purpose of Christ. It comes at the cost of dividing ourselves from the world. As individuals and as the church, do we resemble the world, or do we resemble Christ? Do our teachings and practices look like the things taught in scripture, or have we drifted from it?
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Thanks to the recorded comments from J Vernon McGee. His ministry and daily bible study lives on through Through the Bible Ministries (ttb.org)
Scriptures in the show notes and episode are quoted from the King James Version, except when read by Keith, then it’s the
ESV
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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