Fostering Unity
Unity on earth does not constitute unity in the church, the body of Christ. It may be the result of false confession or false practice. True unity comes from not rejecting God and the means which he has given us to understand him, the words, bread, wine, and water. When we have unity of practice we believe we can recognize that we are unified in our belief. Those who practice otherwise cannot be recognized as being a part of the Body of Christ. Ultimate judgment of their salvation is left to God. For more discussion: The Body of Christ Earthly fellowship comes through unity of practice of the above means as well as common faith in the Triune God. When the practice does not represent or recognize the belief, we ourselves are left in a state of disharmony. The old adam rears itself, promoting false practice in the face of doctrinal disagreement. Those outside the faith who observe our discontinuity of practice and theology will understand the confusion. We are incapable apart from the Spirit of fostering unity with our brothers. All of our attempts to do so are result of our selfish nature. Scripture repeatedly indicates truth in unity between brothers as being false. There is a true unity, a horizontal unity which is between each of us as sons of Christ. Confusion is manifest in preaching a theology of the crucifixion and singing a theology of majesty and glory. We confess to love our neighbors and enemies and yet we sit in our "personal" pew, with our Bible, and listen to our favorite hymnody and never take this message to the people in the forms of mercy and compassion. Unity in Christ comes through practice not exclusively complete doctrinal agreement. Doctrinal agreement will come by the work of the Spirit, preached through the Gospel. As well, our desire to help our neighbor is a response to the same spirit. That is "loving our neighbor more greatly than ourselves." After receiving the Gospel, we obey his call not denying the very work he would have us do. Any fellowship between "church" bodies on earth is a manifestion by the Spirit. By not denying the gift of faith, Christ will work through his Word and call us to follow his example. Through this faith, we will be drawn to true unity in him and with all believers through time.
