Christian Unity—John Straiton

Christian Unity—John Straiton CHRISTIAN UNITY
By John Straiton

Hear, 0 Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord, so spake Moses in his farewell address to the assembled hosts of Israel. Just as there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all thing's; and one Loid, Jesus Christ, through, whom are all things, so there is only one body, the church of the living God. In this body Christian unity exists, and through this body this unity is manifested not only to the world but to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places.

Christian unity is a unity of Christians. The word Christian is used in two senses,. In the strict New Testament meaning a Christian is one who has believed on the Lord, has repented and been baptized. Loosely and popularly it is applied to any one who professes Christianity in any of the many forms in which it is presented by the many varied religious bodies who accept the Bible in some sense as their guide. Amongst these there is a growing sentiment for Christian union. By this is meant the coalescence of two or more denominations into one. A recent example is the union of the three large Methodist denominations mto one organization. This is not what we mean by Christian unity. There is a great difference between union and uniry. An example that will show this distinction is found in the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream recorded in the second chapter of Daniel. The lower part of the great image, which the king saw was composed “part of potter’s clay and part of iron.” There was a union of the two but no unity. A oneness in nature is essential to unity. The human body is a good example of unity. Though there are many members of the body, diverse one from another, yet the body is, a unit. In the New Testament the body is used as a symbol of the church. Every member of the church is born from above—is born of God—and therefore is a partaker of the divine nature. This oneness of life gives to the church an essential divine unity, which may be marred and disfigured but which can never be entirely lost. It is of that unity we speak. Unity can be consummated only by acceptance of the absolute authority of the Scriptures and a complete willingness to obey them. More than a hundred years ago Barton Stone stated, “Men have devised many plans to unite Christians—all are vain. There is but one effectual plan, which is that all be united with Christ and walk with him.”

Some Christians make more rapid growth in knowledge than do others. This difference in attainment tends somewhat to division. One man has faith to eat all things: the other who is not so well informed eateth only herbs. Must they divide over this question? The strong man is not to set at nought the weak: while the weak man is not to condemn the strong. Why? Because God hath received him. This is the basis of unity. If God has received a man I have no right to reject him. If God has not received him I have no right to accept him. In the days of Jesus one of his disciples wanted to draw a line where the Lord had not drawn one. John s,aid, “Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him.” Why, John, why did you forbid him? “Because he followeth not with us.” John wanted to make a division where the Lord had not made one. What did Jesus say? “Forbid him not; for he that is not against you is for you.” It is clear then that the basis of Christian unity is acceptance with God. The Lord had one physical body, and he now has one spiritual body, the church. The Roman soldier, who with a spear pierced the body of Jesus was guilty of a great sin. The men today who rend the spiritual body of the Christ are guilty of a greater sin. The poor ignorant soldier knew not what he did. Any one today with the Bible in his, hand who will be a party to dividing the body of Christ is a greater sinner than the Roman soldier.
Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The Gospel banner lift on high,
With steady hand and strong;
As heralds of a brighter day,
That may not tarry long
When strife of warring sects shall cease.
The one great contest be
That acts of mercy may increase.
And Christ exalted be.
The Gospel banner lift on high.
We’ll plead with one accord,
For union on this truth alone
That “Jesus is the Lord”;
Then by our swift obedience prove
His power to save and bless
That men may be constrained to love
The Lord our righteousness.