THAT WE MAY BE ONE!

          Again in our day, many Ministers are placing great emphasis upon the importance of the need for unity among the believers in Christ Jesus. The emphasis is so great that denominational barriers are being torn down and Ministers are intermingling with each other in gatherings unheard of just a few short years ago.

          In April of this year at a conference in Washington the heads of large Trinity and Oneness Evangelical Protestant Organizations came together to boldly state the need for unity. And of course, the Scripture records a proclamation by Jesus Himself that we are to be one!

Quote! ‘Consecrate them in the truth: thy word is truth. As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. And for their sakes I consecrate Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. Neither for these only do I request, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; evan as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in Me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.’ End of quote.

            But! Let us not forget that we war against principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places. For every sovereign move of God through His ordained Ministers, there is also a devil transformed as an angel of light working with many ministers under his control. They have a contrary spirit and are working in the earth, walking to and fro seeking whom they may devour. They do not say that they are a wolf or a devil, but they are. The intentions of many today are good by desiring the Church to be one, but they are not allowing the wisdom of God to prevail and have given little thought to the ever increasing intensity of spiritual warfare. In another place in Scripture we are warned, ‘the very elect might be deceived!’

            The main scriptures that Ministers are using today to support their argument for unity among all believers in the Messiah, Jesus, is found in Ephesians.

Quote! “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” End of quote.

            Paul warned the Saints about those who wrest or twist the Scriptures to their own destruction! What does the text in Ephesians really say? The word ‘unity’ means ‘unanimity, that is, agreement, having an undivided opinion. The Scripture states again; ‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’

            The word of God is not telling us to come together with everyone that says Jesus Christ is their Saviour! Jesus Himself will tell many to depart from Him because they were workers of iniquity and He never knew them. They preached in His name and did many wonderful works, but were not His Ministers.

            A tel tail sign a Minister is not sent by God is that he will say; ‘you believe what you want to and I will believe what I want to. We are all saved by believing in Jesus Christ, lets not preach doctrine, but come together in love and unity of spirit.’ I ask this one question! If all Ministers in the world today are sent by God, why do they not want to hear doctrine, or the words of God? Are they not to have one mind, the mind of Christ? Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to command, that is charge the Ministers to preach no other doctrine and not to give head to fables.

            Jesus taught with great authority the doctrine of God and the Spirit of God bear witness. He did not teach traditions and doctrines of men as the scribes did. When He arose from the dead and then ascended into heaven He gave some apostles, and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints till we all come in the unity of the faith.

            The only way we can have the mind of Christ is to preach and teach His sayings, that is doctrine. True unity, or agreement and undivided opinion can only come through preaching of the word of God. Faith to believe and commit to Jesus Christ comes by the hearing of His word. There were those in Jesus day who had ears to hear but could not hear the words of Jesus in their heart that they might be saved because they were full of their own teachings, the doctrines of men.

            Paul said if a trumpet does not make a clear sound, who will prepare for battle? And this is the dilemma. False Ministers are themselves deceived and therefore there is no alarm in many Saints. Whole congregations have fallen asleep even to the point of allowing homosexuals and lesbians lead them. Can all be saved? Yes, a thousand times ‘if’ they obey the Scriptures!

BEWARE LEST ANY MAN TAKE YOUR CROWN!

            We are admonished by Paul in Philippians 2:2 to be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. He espoused his converts to Christ as chaste virgins having all things common, not in physical but in spiritual understanding. They knew the mysteries that were given to the Ministers of God which satans ministers do not know. They had the mind of Christ and not the mind of an evil spirit being who supposes godliness is gain. There are some that we are to turn away from!

In our Master’s service.

Jesus, the Christ, our Messiah

Dr. Strome, Th.D.

August 2^nd 2002