A PLEA FOR UNITY
I
Corinthians 1:13
Don Fortner
A PLEA FOR UNITY
"Is Christ divided?
Don Fortner
Nothing is more grievous to the Spirit of God,
nothing more detrimental to the cause of Christ,
nothing more disturbing to the saints of God
(especially young converts), and nothing more sure to
prevent God s blessings upon our labors than strife and
division in his church. Yet, it seems to abound on
every hand! Therefore, I plead with you, and with my
own heart, to walk worthy of the gospel, "endeavoring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Let us for Christ s sake be done with all carnal strife
hand petty quarrels!
The basis of unity is the gospel of the grace of
God. Anyone who believes the gospel of God s free and
sovereign grace in Christ is one with me in the family
of God and is to be treated as such, with love,respect,
and patience. Though we may differ about many things,
in Christ we are one, one in grace, one in faith, one
in heart, one in purpose. Let us walk together as one.
I make this appeal to three groups of people.
To gospel preachers -- Do we worship the same God,
preach the same gospel and serve the same kingdom? If
we do, then we should never allow our personalities to
divide us.Can we not overlook and forgive one another's
faults, failings and weaknesses, and strive together,
as soldiers on a battlefield, for the cause of Christ?
To believers -- Are we brethren, members of the
same family, loved of the same Father, called by the
same Spirit, washed in the blood of Christ and robed in
his righteousness? How can we hope to be united in
glory hereafter If we are not united in grace here?
Beloved, let us love, forgive, forbear with, encourage,
and serve one another for Christ s sake.
To local churches -- We are independent, autonomous
congregations. No local church has authority over
another. One church must not attempt to govern another.
But we do need each other! Can we not have communion
without insisting on conformity? Can we not be devoted
to one another without dominating one another.
Real unity is possible only if Christ is foremost,
above all and in all..May God teach us to prefer Christ
and his glory above ourselves, and preferring Christ,
to prefer one another, and so to be united in him.
Don Fortner is pastor of
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, KY