THE PRICE OF UNITY

By Vernon C. Lyons

Twentieth century theologians have streamlined

Christianity by reducing all the virtues to one--unity. In

our generation the most respectable "ism" is ecumenism. Few

people discern that there is a false unity as well as a true

unity and that each is purchased at a staggering price.

False church unity, which is the most popular kind is

purchased with freedom as the price. Gospel liberty is

obliterated and liberty of conscience becomes impractical, if

not impossible. The communion of saints is forfeited for a

communion of committees. The minority speaks for the mass and

the conscience of the individual Christian is by-passed for

the consensus of a committee.

This kind of church unity is also attained at the

price of truth. Those who major on mergers tend to believe

very little and after merging believe still less. They are

more noted for their compromises than their convictions.

Their spiritual discernment having been dulled, they move in a

doctrinal dusk that calls non-churches churches and regards

unbelievers as believers. In the mania to merge, fixed truths

become forgotten tenets.

True church unity is also costly! It is to be

obtained not by compromise, but by conflict. The faith must

not be diluted, but defended (Jude 3). It may cost a man his

unscriptural creed and his man-made catechism. This kind of

unity flows from a humility which is willing to reject human

tradition and subject itself to divine truth, as stated in

God's Holy Word. This unity is described by the words, "One

Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5). The beginning of

this unity is one Lord. The basis of this unity is one faith.

The badge of this unity is one baptism.

This true unity will cost you your prejudice, your pride, and

perhaps even your popularity.

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