CHAPTER 15 UNITY
While preparing Chapter 4 on God's timing, the Lord began to reveal something to me concerning the unity He is calling us into. In Chapters 7 & 9 of the next book in this series, The Last Enemy we will discuss in greater detail the relationships which exist between the end time overcomers and Mt. Zion. For purposes of this study allow me simply to state that Zion is the highest hill or mountain upon which Jerusalem is built. Figuratively speaking, the Lord is enthroned on Zion (Ps.9:11; 74:2; 132:13 & Isaiah 8:18). Indeed, it is on the Heavenly Zion that the Cornerstone, our Foundation Rock Jesus Himself has been set (Isaiah 28:16; I Pe.2:6 & Rev.14:1).
As we will see in The Last Enemy, the overcomers will come from Zion (Obadiah vs.17&21 & Isaiah 37:32). Now, in order to come from Zion, we must first arrive there ourselves. While it can be said that we are now seated with Christ in heavenly places, I believe that we will all agree that there is still a war going on with the prince of this world in the soulish realm (Eph.6:12 & I John 5:19). And it is in that sense that we must still drive the enemy out of Zion. According to Isaiah 5:11 the ransomed of the Lord will enter Zion singing. As we saw in Chapters 15&16 of Needful Things, we are to praise God not only because He is worthy, but because praise is a type of spiritual weapon. However, in and of itself, praise may not be sufficient to allow us as individuals to take Zion.
David was also at war, and as we saw Chapters 4&9, he matured in the wilderness during his time of purification. It was during this same time period that his army grew from a small band of 400 to the several hundred thousand listed in I Chron. 12:23-27. In David's war, he too had to come to Zion. Indeed, it was necessary to take Zion in order for the victory to be complete. Prior to this war, Jerusalem (and therefore Mt. Zion) had remained under the control of the Jebusites (II Sam.5:8). The tribe of Judah had not been able to evict them when the Israelites entered Canaan after they left Egypt (Joshua 15:63). One tribe alone was unable to do it, even though that was the tribe called praise (Gen.29:35).
David did not take Zion until Israel and Judah united in their efforts, and he had become king over both (I Chron.11:3). Those who then took Zion did so by coming in through the watershaft which served the city (I Sam.5:8). To enter through that shaft you must get down low, for it is narrow. So also must we, as we approach Zion, enter through the watershaft of the Holy Spirit and humble ourselves before the Lord (see Chapter 3&17 of Needful Things). David promised to make the soldier who led the attack, a commander of his army (I Chron.11:6). Similarly, to those who overcome, Jesus has promised a place on his throne, which as we have already seen, is located on Mt Zion (Rev.3:21). What we need to remember, is that this battle for Zion will take the combined efforts of the Holy Spirit (water), humility (watershaft), praise (Judah) and unity (Judah & Israel). Let us now take a close look at unity.
In and of itself, unity is a powerful force. God showed us that in Gen.11:6. In dispersing the people from Babel He said: "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." (emphasis added) As you will recall, the people at that time had refused to scatter over the face of the earth and subdue it. They were more comfortable with their known surroundings than they were with God's direction to fill the earth (Gen.9:1 & 11:4). They were unified in their purpose to disobey God's direction, and until confusion was introduced, their unity was paying off. When there was confusion in language, the work stopped (Gen.11:7-8). Just as God used confusion there, He also used it to defeat the plans of those who would destroy His chosen people as they left Egypt (Ex.12:24). God also promised Moses: "I will send terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run." (Ex.23:27).
Many times God used confusion to defeat the numerically stronger enemy which came against Israel. Joshua needed almost an extra full day of sunlight to pursue the Ammorites whom God had thrown into confusion before him (Joshua 10:10&13). And according to Ju.7:22 the confusion that reigned throughout the Midianite camp when Gideon and his 300 companions blew their trumpet caused the enemy to turn upon each other with their swords.
Confusion was also used when the Israelites went out unarmed to battle the Philistines (I Sam.13:16-22). Imagine, leading an army into battle without one weapon other than your own sword and that of your son. Even so, the Philistines were defeated. After Jonathan and his armor bearer killed 20 of the enemy God sent panic throughout the Philistine encampment (I Sam.14:14-15). By the time Saul and the rest of the Israelites joined the attack, they found the enemy in total confusion, "striking each other with their swords." (I Sam.14:20). And just in case anyone might mistakenly feel that I am lessening the importance I have placed upon praise in previous studies, turn to II Chron. 20:22-24 and notice that it was praise that preceded the confusion which came upon the enemies of Jehoshaphat. The point is, confusion brings defeat, while in the correct form, unity brings victory.
Eph.4:13 tells us that God has sent forth various ministries "... so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." There is to be a unity of the Body. God builds His Church and causes the body to grow (Col.2:19 & Matt.16:18); yet, it is held together by its ligaments and sinews (Eph.4:16). It must work together (I Cor.12:25).
Abraham expressed this same principle when he spoke to Lot as recorded in Gen.13:8. "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me and between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers." Paul appeals to all of us as "brothers" in Christ to have no dissention (I Cor.1:10). True bondslaves of Jesus will not quarrel (IITim.2:24). They have taken to heart the warning of Prov.17:14 wherein we are told, "starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent his emissary to call out to all the people of Jerusalem (II Ki.18:26-36). He was hoping to begin a quarrel amongst them, thereby dividing them, and gaining victory. He was attempting to stir up dissention amongst the defenders of the wall - the very thing God warns us not to do in Prov.16:28. We are God's army on the wall, and there is to be no dissention in this army (Joel 2:8-9). We are told in Prov.6:16-19 that the Lord hates the man who stirs up dissention amongst the brothers. As for Sennacherib, his army was decimated by an angel of the Lord, and was himself killed by his own sons (II Ki.19:35-37).
Gal.5:19-20 tells us that dissention is an act of the sinful nature (see also Ja.3:16). Gal.5:15 clearly warns us that we will destroy ourselves unless we walk in unity - LED BY THE SPIRIT. Remember, the confusion that reigned down upon the Philistine and Midianite camps led to self annihilation. No wonder Ro.13:13 tells us to live decently, "...not in dissention," and then tells us in Chapter 16:17 to avoid those who cause dissention. Titus 3:10 says to warn a divisive person once, and then a second time if he continues in his ways, but after that - have nothing to do with him. Prov.22:16 goes so far as to say; "Drive out the mocker and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended." As can be seen in Nu.11:4 the Israelites did not follow these provisions, and eventually suffered the consequences. Notice that it was the rabble which stirred up the trouble and it was constant grumbling and quarreling which lead to Israel's physical death (Nu.14:27-30) Dissension led to death both for God's enemies and those of His children who would not turn from this act of their sinful nature. On the other hand, we are to come to Zion in unity. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity ... it is as if the dew of Herman were falling on Mt. Zion (Ps.133:1&3).
Jesus spoke often of unity. When He was accused of driving out demons by the power of satan He made this unequivocal statement, "ANY kingdom divided against itself will fall." (emphasis added Lk.11:17). Since we know that God's kingdom will last forever (Lk.1:33), we should therefore realize that His Church will be united. Jesus knew that at that time there were quarrels and dissension amongst His followers (Mk.9:33-34 & Lk.9:46). He prayed in John 17:22 that we would be one as He and the Father are one. In Ro.15:5 Paul prayed that the brothers would receive from God a spirit of unity so that with one heart and mouth they may glorify God. Unity brings glory to God, and as we see in Acts 4:24&31, unity proceeded the outpouring of power through the Holy Spirit. We are to be one as the Father and Son are one. The Son was totally obedient and submissive to the Father (Heb.5:7, review Chapters 6&8), and this attitude led to His exultation (Phil.2:9). We must therefore walk in a like manner if we are to sit with Him on Zion (Mk.9:35 & Matt.20:26-27).
Now comes the difficult question. At what price do we accept unity? Am I to openly fellowship and accept and unite with Christians who condone homosexuality as simply an alternate lifestyle? Do I belong to "churches" who have so watered down their teaching so as not to offend their liberal member ship that any resemblance between them and the Church Christ described is purely coincidental?
In Matt.10:34-36 Jesus clearly says that He came not to unite, but to divide. However, we must understand what it is He is dividing from what. I Cor.6:14 shows us that it is light from darkness and righteousness from unrighteousness (see also I Thes.5:5). Christ did not seek unity with darkness This is especially true of His relationship with those religious leaders who were truly not interested in seeking God. He was not seeking unity with them in Matt.23:33 when He said, "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" In fact Jesus specifically warned His disciples to be on guard lest they be sucked in by the teachings of such men (Matt.16:11-12).
The tragedy of such unions can best be illustrated from the story of Jehoshaphat and Ahab. In II Chron.18:1 we see that Judah had attempted to unite again with Israel by having a son of Jehoshaphat (the Godly king of Judah) marry a daughter of Ahab (the wicked King of Israel. In the human realm the uniting of two kingdoms by marriage was a wise thing to do. However, we are clearly shown that the son (Jehroam) was led astray by the daughter of Ahab. This turnabout was so complete that Jehroam even killed his brothers (II Chron.21:4&6). Such unity is wrong. We are not to unite with religions that are dead, or with those who "nullify the Word of God for the sake of ... tradition." (Matt.15:6). When the disciples told Jesus that He had hurt the Pharisees' feelings by what He had said, He did not seek to reconcile Himself to them. Rather, He said: "Every plant that my Heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots." (Matt.15:12-13). We should pray for our modern-day Pharisees, but we should not unite with them.
That, however is a relatively easy area to deal with. How do we unite with those brothers who will not have anything to do with us; or with those who feel that tongues is of the devil; or with Spirit filled brothers who give lip service to worshipping God, but will not physically humble themselves before the Lord? Where or how do we unite with them? The answers to those questions will serve as a brief introduction to the topic of spiritual maturity which will be discussed in detail in Chapters 8,9&10 of The Last Enemy.
Ro.14:22 tells us that there are certain things which we may know and believe and be completely correct in, but which we must not force upon those of our brothers whose faith may be weaker (also vs.1). We must not attempt to force the new wine into an old wineskin (Matt.9:17; Mk.2:22 & Lk.5:37), for in so doing both the new wine and the old wineskin will be lost. That is not to say that we do not offer them a drink of the new wine, but we must not try to force them to drink.
To walk in love is not to force ourselves upon others. You see, we are all in the same family, and in any family there are babies and adults, immature and mature. It is up to the mature not to cause the immature to stumble (I Cor.8:9). Jesus said in Matt.18:6 that anyone who causes a small child (Greek word paidion) to sin is in big trouble. That applies to spiritual paidions as well as physical ones. Some congregations may in fact be made up of nothing but spiritual children who have not sought spiritual growth. They do not want to be pushed out of the nest, and resist anyone who trys. I am not saying that they are correct in their attitude, but it is not for us to be their judge.
If you are in such a congregation and are seeking growth, but meet continual resistance, you must remember that you cannot cause dissension (I Cor.1:10). Nor can you force yourself upon them. It is true that we are all in the same family, but there are different schools for first graders and high schoolers. You cannot remain in that congregation unless you are growing elsewhere in addition to the "fellowship" you receive there. Unity at the expense of your own growth is wrong, for you must not forget that we are supposed to be growing up into Him who is the Head (Eph.4:15).
Without growth you will physically die, for it is a mature Church that Jesus is returning for (Eph.5:27 & Rev.19:7). If your group is stagnant and refuses to grow, and after prayer you leave, BE SURE TO GO IN PEACE. Remember, Abraham knew that it was better to separate then to remain in dissension with the less mature Lot even though they were "brothers" (Gen.13:8). Remember also that it was Abraham who eventually rescued Lot (Gen.14:16), and it is those who reach Zion, and then come from Zion, whom God will use as set forth in Obadiah 21.
I raise this next point praying that it will not be misunderstood, but it fits in with the topic of unity and therefore bears consideration. As we saw earlier in this discussion Jesus made no attempt to water down His teachings in order to unite with the Pharisees and Saducees. However, He also made no attempt to unite with John the Baptist, or to draw that ministry into His own. John was the greatest Old Testament prophet that ever lived (Matt.11:11&13), and that is the very reason Jesus could not "unite" with him. The Old Covenant was passing away, and John and his disciples, while knowing that Jesus was the promised Savior (John 1:29), still related to that old system, and could not deal with, or understand the freedom Christ offered (Matt.11:2 & 9:14).
I believe John was the "bruised reed" and "smoking wick" referred to in Matt.12:20 (see also Matt.11:7). Note that Jesus said He would not break the reed, or extinguish the smoldering wick. In other words, He would not hinder them, but He would not go out of His way to help them either. Following the Law, and being led by the Spirit do not go together (Ro.8:14 and Gal.3:10). There can be no doubt that John was a believer, and therefore Jesus did not verbally attack him as He did the Pharisees. However, John's way was not the way for the Church. Jesus let John's way pass away on its own. Jesus did not rescue John from prison where he was to die at the hands of Herod (Mk.6:17&27). Whereas, Peter and Paul were both delivered in order to teach the way of salvation (Acts 12:6-7 & 16:25-26).
From this it appears that we are being shown that we should not seek to become TOTALLY affiliated with, or directly encourage those believers who are attempting to mix Law and Grace. We must not attack them. If we leave them in order to grow ourselves and prevent our presence from causing strife we are to leave in peace, remembering to intercede continuously that their eyes will be opened to the total leading of the Spirit and away from manmade rules (I Cor.6:12; Col.2:20-23; Ro.14:17 & I Tim.4:3).
Do not be surprised when those who are under the bondage of legalism (Gal.5:1) try to pull you back into their system, for it will happen (Gal.4:29). However, it would be wrong for you to go back into this system under the guise of doing so for the sake of unity. Turn to Gal.2:11-14 & 5:10-12 and you will quickly see that Paul did not acquiesce to Peter's attempt to put the Gentiles under a mixture of Law and Grace. At that time Paul did not consent to Peter's actions for the sake of unity. Likewise, when God has placed you in a fellowship of believers who are seeking to grow, do not sit quietly by and allow an outsider, even a man of God with the stature of Peter, to bring that group back under the law. However, you must do all this in love. If the others choose to go back under, your only weapon is prayer. Be prepared at that point because, the Lord may very well lead you out of that group. The pressure to go back under is great, and even Paul succumbed to it, but only after he had ignored the leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 21:4&26; for a more detailed discussion of this concept, see Chapter 10 of The Last Enemy).
We can fellowship up to a point with all true believers regardless of their level of maturity. Those who are mature have the greater burden and cannot allow their freedom to hinder the less mature (Ro.4:15). All believers, at whatever level, are in the body of Christ (Eph.3:6), and we cannot survive without them, for as part of Christ they are part of us also. As such, we must pray for them (Eph.6:18), love them (I John 4:21), and help them (Ja.2:15-16). At the same time, we cannot totally unite with them in their immaturity and continuously take part with them in their immature actions.
The unity spoken of in Eph. 4:13 is in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God and THE MATURITY IN THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. UNTIL that level is reached we unite with brothers in praise who will praise, we can unite with brothers in faith who will walk in faith, and we can unite with a group of brothers who are seeking to grow. However, like Jesus we should not unite with those who only pretend to walk with God. Nor can we totally unite with those who cannot, or do not for whatever reason seek to grow up into Him who is the Head of the body. Remember, we cannot ignore the toe, but we are not seeking to be like the toe. We seek total unity with our brothers, and our brothers are Jesus' brothers, and His brothers are those who hear God's Word and put it into practice (Lk.8:21; Matt.12:50 and Mk.3:35) Not just that part of His Word that fits into their theology, but all His Word. United, this body will stand on Zion without first tasting death.
Notice that I am not saying that "church hopping" is an acceptable lifestyle. And I am not saying that you should leave the minute things get a little rough, for satan will surely attack a body that is beginning to grow and seek the Most High God. Just be sure that you are not missing the leading of the Holy Spirit and remain in a fellowship simply because that is the one you grew up in; or is the one your parents went to, or is the one in which you were saved. Similarly, you should not move on simply because you are looking for that perfect group. It probably does not exist, and would loose its perfection the minute either you or I joined.
Finally, do not make the mistake of terminating all fellowship because no group seems "just right." We are clearly told in Heb.10:25 not to give up meeting together. In Acts 1:14; 2:26; & 12:12 we are shown that the believers continually gathered together for fellowship and spiritual warfare ie. prayer. In numbers there is progressive spiritual strength (Deut.32:30 & Lev.26:8) and God would not direct us to come together unless He had a place for us. Seek Him and ask Him to show you where your place is so that you may take your part in the army of the Lord.