Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The True Way To Religious Unity? III

By: Gary Colley
Date: July 2, 2000
Past/Future Articles

This writer believes that the reason we do not have religious unity today has to do with a wrong attitude toward the Bible.  Many are not convinced that the New Testament is complete
(James 1:25), that it is authoritative (II Peter 1:3), and that it is powerful (Romans 1:16,
Hebrews 4:12).  This constitutes an improper attitude toward the inspired Scriptures
(II Timothy 4:1-4).  Too many have the attitude, whether admitted or not, of a young man with whom we spoke for hours about his sinful lifestyle of homosexuality.  When asked if he respected the Bible, he responded, "I don't give a hoot about the Bible!"  If the Word of God is not the final standard for religious unity, there can be none!  Unity, without the New Testament being the final answer to every religious question, simply cannot exist (Matthew 17:1-6).  Where men add to the Bible their Prayer Books, Disciplines, Catechisms, Book of Mormon, and etc., unity does not have the heart-beat of a chance!

                                       LOVE FOR THE LORD, THE ANSWER

Jesus states clearly, that the path to true unity is to come together in the love of and on the authority of His Word (I John 1:7).  That demands that each of us love the Lord more than we love self, kinfolks, or our own opinions (Matthew 10:37).  "If ye love me, keep my commandments
(John 14:15)."  "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:14)."  The churches of Christ in your community agree in these sentiments of the Lord.  We have contended for these sentiments through the years, but we have been looked upon by the enemies of the cross as narrow, and sometimes branded as a group of bigots!  However, this is still our plea to every honest soul.