22 Aug 2013 by Lim Poh Ann-
When push comes to shove, which do we choose to uphold? UNITY or TRUTH.
Do we maintain unity, live peaceably with others, even if it is at the expense of truth? Is unity to be preserved at all costs?
The believer is called to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Unity is also an important goal we should strive to attain through the five-fold ministry of the church (Ephesians 4:13). Paul chided the Corinthian believers for having a factious, divisive spirit (1Corinthians 3:3-4).
Psalms 133 explains why God’s people should live together in unity, the reason being this: God showers His blessings on a united community.
Christ fought hard to bring us into a state of unity. He paid with His blood to bring believers together as one (Ephesians 2:13-14).
In John 13:35, Jesus taught: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
If believers are constantly envious, jealous and bickering, how can they minister to a world that is lost? If they cannot settle their “in-house” problems, how can they help the needy? Furthermore, the church stands before a watching world as a model of morality and conduct; its reputation is at stake if it cannot walk the talk.
No doubt unity is an important ingredient in the life and ministry of a community of believers.
However, difficult situations may arise which force us to choose between unity and truth.
Many of us are familiar with the incident where Paul opposed Peter publicly. The latter was dining with the Gentiles but suddenly withdrew from them when the Jewish group which advocated circumcision appeared (Galatians 2: 11-16).
How can Peter dine with the Gentiles and then, out of fear of the circumcision party, compromise his beliefs? Peter, a Jew like Paul, should have known better that no one is justified by keeping the Law, that circumcision is no longer an important requirement and that Jews and Gentiles are equally justified before God on the basis of Christ’s righteousness – through his atoning blood at the cross.
Paul did the right thing when he confronted Peter. He may have appeared harsh towards Peter, an apostle of similar stature. In fact, Paul wasn’t even numbered among the original twelve disciples but came to the scene later. How can a ‘new kid on the block’ tell off ‘big brother’?
The issue at stake was ‘justification by faith’, not by the law. When Peter did not uphold consistently this important principle in his life, Paul had to tick him off.
Yes, by all means, strive to live peaceably with all believers:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4: 1-6).
We should not identify ourselves by our denominational stance, not allow these leanings to create walls between us.
That said, we should also recognise the following points:
- In the case of contention over major doctrines, we should pause and consider whether this is an occasion which calls for truth to be upheld over unity. The bone of contention has to be a major tenet of the faith before this principle applies. No point quibbling over a “mole hill”. If it is a minor issue, then we should learn to compromise.
- How can light and darkness be joined together?
- How can heresy coexist with truth?
- How can two walk together except they be agreed (Amos 3:3)?
Many years ago a church in a major city in Malaysia had a split. One camp was into healing, deliverance and the supernatural works of the Holy Spirit. The other camp was closed to such ministries, thinking that it is not for the modern-day church.
Through the years, the former has grown by leaps and bounds whereas the latter has remained highly conservative. If the former had decided to remain with the status quo, for the sake of maintaining unity, most probably the immense growth and impact of its ministry would not have been realised.
When the issue at stake is a major one – which in the contention between Paul and Peter is ‘justification by faith’ and in the preceding scenario is ‘whether the supernatural works of the Holy Spirit is for the church today’ – truth may have to be upheld over unity.
While it is important to be humble and tolerant to get along well with others, we should not compromise the truth for the sake of unity.
Related post:
DON'T DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS
http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2012/09/dont-despise-small-beginnings.html
Source : Porridge For The Soul By Dr Lim Poh Ann
Disclaimer: The views or opinions expressed by the columnists are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Christianity Malaysia.com
References:
http://accblogz.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/unity.jpg
http://faithfulinprayer.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/unity-in-the-body.jpg
http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/Coller9.jpg
http://intrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/body-of-christ-better-together_t.jpg
Yeap, I choose truth. If we dont, we can be in the danger of semua boleh syndrom. This can lead to the World church in the future. But only those who hold on to the truth will lean on to the real Jerusalem church in the future. It is not easy to maintain truth. Therefore leaders in every Christian church must carefully walk the talk about truth to its members. But GOD is moving his eyes on earth to see who wants to model his kingdom on earth. And once the community is set up established, his glory will sweep all systems of the world away. (Daniel 2:44-45). The mind of Christ will be the key to such community. Do we have the mind of Christ? How do we have the mind of Christ? 2 conditions – present our life as a living sacrifies, and renew our mind. then we will know the perfect will of GOD. (Romans 12:1-2)
Do we want to model the kingdom? There is a price to pay. For GODs kingdom is not of this kingdom. And that means all the years of life training by the world system, we have to purge out and only embrace his kingdom values and decrees.
It can be easy, if king Jesus reigns with his heavenly citizens on earth. Cause the king will command his citizen to live accordingly to his kingdom values and decrees.
Possibly? It will only be possible if we allow King Jesus to rule in all our lives 100%.
But GOD will pour his spirit on earth and those who are called by his spirit, GOD will do it. Come a day, the young and old will know him and there is no need for teachers but all the decrees are written on their hearts and mind. Is it going to be soon? Soon if the church decides so. I would say, the remnant who caught this revelation and want to say, I do to the king. Then GOD will destine them together to establish his kingdom on earth .