Unity Among Brethren

by Sewell Hall
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2014

Jesus prayed, "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us" (John 17:21). This prayer was not for unity among denominations, nor even for goodwill among congregations. It was for all individuals who believe in Jesus. Furthermore, it is not attained in some earthly organization or association but in God and Christ -- " In us." Jesus prayed. I am one with individuals who may never know of my existence if we are both in Christ. This unity depends on two things:

1. That we be one with God and Christ, and
2. 2) that we not separate ourselves from others who are in Christ because of peculiar loyalties.

Teaching or Practice Contrary to the Teaching of Christ

We abide in Christ, the vine, as His word abides in us (John 15:3-8). However, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God" (II John 9). When one leaves the doctrine of Christ he separates himself from Christ and those who abide in the doctrine. I must not "receive him into [my] house nor greet him" as a brother (II John 10). John describes such individuals: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us" (I John 2:19).

Conflicting Loyalties

Among those who endeavor to "abide in the doctrine of Christ," conflicting loyalties can destroy unity. This was the problem in Corinth. Paul wrote, "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas, or 'I am of Christ" (I Corinthians 1:12). Paul, Apollos and Cephas were good men with no desire to be the nucleus of a faction, yet factious people made this of them based on various prejudices and preferences.

If this was a problem in Corinth, it can surely be a problem for us. We can admire a certain preacher to the point that we judge anyone who does not share our admiration for him to be of questionable soundness. We can be so strongly supportive of a college that we view with suspicion anyone who does not attend that college or send their children there. We can be loyal to a particular religious paper to the point that we take as truth anything it teaches and question the faithfulness of anyone who does not take that paper or may read or write for another one (Loyalty to a particular paper in the 1950's determined the position that many took on controverted issues). We can even be so enthusiastic about the congregation we attend that we find fault in others just to try to improve our own reputation. We may also make the mistake that the Pharisees made when we elevate our human traditions (and every congregation has them) into a standard that every congregation or individual must respect to enjoy our approval.

Such attitudes are divisive and sinful and can cause us to be lost. Among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5: 19-21 are "factions, divisions, parties" (ASV). Like adultery, fornication, etc., such attitudes give pleasure to some people. They enjoy competition between us and them, especially when they can feel a sense of pride in the comparisons. They are ready to believe everything good about "us" and bad about "them."

This was the spirit shown by John when he complained to Jesus: "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us" (Luke 9:49). Elijah also suffered from such a spirit, exclaiming that of all the prophets of God, "I alone am left" (I Kings 19:10). Both these men were rebuked, Elijah being informed that God had "seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him" (I Kings 19:18). Doubtless there are seven thousand and many more faithful disciples of Christ who have never heard of the preachers I admire, the college I attended, the papers I read or the congregation I attend, yet they are one with me in God and Christ. Let me never disregard them simply because they do "not follow with us."