THIS BLOG IS: my personal journey of how I am rethinking some of my spiritual beliefs.
THIS BLOG IS NOT: intended to point fingers at people who I think are wrong.
I do not believe the final judgement will be based on how many correct answers we get on a theology exam. I believe many people throughout history have had genuine relationships with God, despite holding questionable beliefs and practices. I make no claim to having it all figured out or being your judge. If we end up disagreeing over these topics I pray we can find a way to demonstrate grace.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sign of Unity
(No this is not a real sign, and no, it is not what I believe... but I fear this is often how it works)
Although it seems so "unchristian" I am not so sure we should knee jerk react to it. Why are we so terrified of division? The bible repeatedly shows how God calls for division, so that the faithful are not entangled with the faithless.
I believe that the generally held doctrine of church unity is demonic in its origin!
Satan loves the doctrine of unity because he can use it to completely block any progress in a church. I have heard, and read on Christian blogs, endless calls for everyone to walk in unity, and to care for the slowest member in the midst. With this mentality, all Satan has to do is put a sluggard in the midst, and bingo, the church is anchored to the ground.
I know this sounds aggressive, but I speak from nearly 40 years experience. We cannot have unity with those who do not like our walk. Many church goers are just that, church goers. They are satisfied that they are doing all that is necessary to get to heaven when they are dead. The idea of the kingdom of heaven being nigh unto them is not on their agenda. It is just far too demanding.
Unity is something we should not really seek after. We should just seek after God, and fight the flesh which resists that search. In order to advance in kingdom things we frequently just have to part company. Unfortunately, the false doctrine of unity, as preached almost universally, makes anyone who really should depart feel guilty of rebellion, when they are actually being obedient to the calling out of God.
So since we disagree, we must not be brothers.... :)
I'm joking.
For me I never heard anyone preaching unity, other than unity within a local body.
What struck me first was John 17:20 - 26, the only prayer recorded of Jesus for us. I sense it should be our prayer as well.
But I agree it is hard to imagine, and hard to live.
I agree that in no way should our desire for unity distract us from following what God is calling us to do.
However I am coming to grips with the reality that there will be some members of Christ's body who do not agree with me. We may not see eye to eye very often. Yet somehow we are still part of the same family.
In my human family, when I don't see eye to eye with a family member - they are still stuck with me. We are family for life.
Anyways, thanks for your honesty in your comments. God bless!
3 comments:
If only we realized that 'unity' has very little to do with 'uniformity'.
Although it seems so "unchristian" I am not so sure we should knee jerk react to it.
Why are we so terrified of division?
The bible repeatedly shows how God calls for division, so that the faithful are not entangled with the faithless.
I believe that the generally held doctrine of church unity is demonic in its origin!
Satan loves the doctrine of unity because he can use it to completely block any progress in a church.
I have heard, and read on Christian blogs, endless calls for everyone to walk in unity, and to care for the slowest member in the midst. With this mentality, all Satan has to do is put a sluggard in the midst, and bingo, the church is anchored to the ground.
I know this sounds aggressive, but I speak from nearly 40 years experience. We cannot have unity with those who do not like our walk. Many church goers are just that, church goers. They are satisfied that they are doing all that is necessary to get to heaven when they are dead.
The idea of the kingdom of heaven being nigh unto them is not on their agenda. It is just far too demanding.
Unity is something we should not really seek after. We should just seek after God, and fight the flesh which resists that search.
In order to advance in kingdom things we frequently just have to part company. Unfortunately, the false doctrine of unity, as preached almost universally, makes anyone who really should depart feel guilty of rebellion, when they are actually being obedient to the calling out of God.
Thanks Frank for your comments.
But I disagree with you.
So since we disagree, we must not be brothers.... :)
I'm joking.
For me I never heard anyone preaching unity, other than unity within a local body.
What struck me first was John 17:20 - 26, the only prayer recorded of Jesus for us. I sense it should be our prayer as well.
But I agree it is hard to imagine, and hard to live.
I agree that in no way should our desire for unity distract us from following what God is calling us to do.
However I am coming to grips with the reality that there will be some members of Christ's body who do not agree with me. We may not see eye to eye very often. Yet somehow we are still part of the same family.
In my human family, when I don't see eye to eye with a family member - they are still stuck with me. We are family for life.
Anyways, thanks for your honesty in your comments. God bless!
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