Ray Feliciano Posted: Tuesday, January 20 2004 1:37 am
Post subject: Unity
User Location: New York

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Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion.(1 Cor. 1:10)
The Amplified Bible says, "But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony, and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you; but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments."
That ye all say the same thing - If they did not agree exactly in opinion on every subject, they might, notwithstanding, agree in the words which they used to express their religious faith. The members assembled should labor to be of the same mind, and to speak the same thing, in order to prevent divisions, which always hinder the work of God. On every essential doctrine of the Gospel all genuine Christians agree: why then need our communion be interrupted? It cannot be expected that any number of men should in every respect perfectly coincide in their views of all the minor points, on which an exact conformity in sentiment is impossible to minds so variously constituted as those of the human race. Angels may thus agree, who see nothing through an imperfect or false medium; but to man this is impossible. Therefore men should bear with each other, and not be so ready to imagine that none have the truth of God but they and their party.
Shall two walk together except they be agreed?
An entire harmony and symmetry among them, as in the members of the body, where each member and bone being in their proper place, exactly answer to, and tally with each other; and which is the most effectual way to speak the same things, and so bar against all schisms and divisions; and such an agreement is absolutely necessary to the peace, comfort, and well being of a church; for how should "two", and much less more, "walk together", unless they are "agreed?" Amo_3:3. Where there is no friendship there can be no fellowship; if two persons be at variance, they must first,at the least, address the matters in difference between them before they can be united in the sense the apostle Paul exhorts to.

When there is not a unity of sentiment, let there be a union of affections. The consideration of being agreed in greater things should extinguish all feuds and divisions about minor ones." No minister however instrumental they are of good to us, are not to be put in Christ's stead. They are not to usurp Christ's authority, nor encourage any thing in the people that looks like transferring his authority to them. He is our Saviour and sacrifice, he is our Lord and guide. And happy were it for the churches if there were no name of distinction among them, as Christ is not divided.
Once upon a time there was a body. It had enjoyed a healthy birth and a normal growth. Although there had been times of brief sickness and discomfort, these went through the usual healing processes and the body continued to grow and to function.
Then one day, the toes began to discuss among themselves the importance of wearing comfortable shoes. In the course of the conversation, it was observed that no other part of the body was in the habit of wearing shoes.
"But shoes are necessary for the protection of the body!" exclaimed one of the big toes. "We need to convince the other members of the body that they should also take to wearing shoes. But alas, the other members of the body could not see the need and would not comply with such demands. The toes decided that, for the good of the body, they would separate themselves from the other members of the body.
This had raised the question of what the various members of the body ought to wear. The legs stated that trousers were the only proper apparel. The torso claimed that a shirt ought to be worn. The hands disagreed, claiming that nothing was necessary, but that gloves were acceptable upon occasion.
The members of the body began to quarrel with one another with the result that each member decided to withdraw from those other members with whom there was disagreement.
In the end, the body died.
John Wesley, tells of a dream that he once had in which he was transported to the gates of hell. He stood there and called out:
"Are there any Roman Catholics here?"
"Yes," came the reply.
"Are there any Presbyterians?"
"Yes," was the answer.
"Any Congregationalists?"
"Yes."
"Are there any Methodists here?"
"Yes," came the reply.
As Wesley thought on this last answer, he was suddenly transported to the gates of heaven. Once again, he called out:
"Are there any Roman Catholics here?"
"No," came the reply.
"Are there any Presbyterians?"
"No," was the answer.
"Any Congregationalists?"
"No."
"Are there any Methodists here?"
"No," came the reply.
Puzzled, he asked, "Well then, who is here?"
The answer came back, "Christians."