UNITY
There are two overriding, worldwide, sources of unity. One is God (el-o-heem), the Father and Son, who have a comprehensive plan to bring "unity" to a number of people greater than the innumerable number spoken of in Revelation 7:9. The other is Satan with his various means of causing worldwide values to come under his influence. I would like to focus on the unity that comes through Satan's work first
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
That work has been facilitated by a profound act of creation by God. Mankind has been "made subject to vanity" as revealed in the 8th chapter of Romans. Verses 20 and 21 give the plain revelation of this vast subject.
Rom 8:20 For the creatureG2937 (original formation) was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope (earnest expectation),
Rom 8:21 Because the creature G2937 (original formation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
When we look throughout the world, at the many societies, we find one thing in common. They are all united in disobedience to the instructions given by the creator God for their well being.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
There are though a few that have been set apart, who have repented with a sincere heart, striving to live in obedience to the will of God.
There is a comprehensive effort, at this time, to create unity through lies. With new and newest levels of communication it has become glaringly apparent that lying is fundamental to gain a desired end. This accentuates the need for the value of truthfulness to be respected. And the diversity of beliefs points to the FACT that with the meagerness of suspect evidence PEOPLE BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE. So then we ask, where does all this corrupt level of evil come from?
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
It is so interesting to observe how much perverted sexual practices have been and is linked to major social disruption and degradation.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
One of the most profound aspects that contributes to our futile nature is what may be termed "spiritual inertia". Yuri Bezmenov, a KGB defector to the United States had this to say about demoralization coupled with spiritual inertia. And I can say the kick that he talks about is coming to our nation and the world.
"As I mentioned before, exposure to true information does not matter anymore. A person who was <demoralized> is unable to assess true information. The facts tell nothing to him. Even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents, with pictures; even if I take him by force to the Soviet Union and show him [a] concentration camp, he will refuse to believe it, until he [receives] a kick in his fat-bottom".
There is a profound example of a people being completely "demoralized" (devoid of morals) in the account of Revelation 16:9-11 --- even when they received very strong kicks to their bottoms.
Rev 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Rev 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Rev 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
One could go on and on about the natural spirit of mankind but I will finish with the problems King David had with his conflicts with doing good in God's sight. His intended action against Nabal, his affair with Bathsheba, and his numbering the fighting men of Israel all reflected a "natural" spirit taken advantage of by Satan.
1Ch 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
There is recorded David's deep repentance for his sins. It is so comforting to know that the Bible is complete in revealing God's mercy, not only for David but for all repentant mankind.
Now I would like to go to the fulfilling unity that can only come through following the ways of God.
How can there be unity without truth being the common denominator? Unity is established through truth. Yet in all the KJV New Testament the word unity, in reference to the Church of God, is only mentioned twice.
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Even though that word is only used twice, the church is continuously instructed in those ways that nurtures unity.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
So then we see that truth is essential to living in a way that works toward the unity that God is working to create in us. But how dedicated are we to learn truth? What level of priority does unity through truth hold in our spirit? That question may be answered by the circumstances related in Matthew 25:1-13. The ten virgins that are depicted fit the end time period of time. Five of them loose out from going to the marriage and becoming a part of the Bride of Christ. This is an indication that half of the church will not be part of the bride. They were all virgins or a part of the Church of God. Yet the church was not wholly united.
In regard to unity, we can ask the following question; what is the difference between a "Christian" that believes in a doctrine that actually has pagan roots and a "Christian" that believes there should be no pagan influences in their doctrine. The answer can apply not only to religious doctrine but also to any controversy "under the sun". That answer being; one must be guided by truthful evidence relating to a subject. And not be subject to a wayward spiritual inertia or any aspect of demoralization.
Pro 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
So then how can one know that the evidence is truthful? The instructions in the Bible are sufficient for directing our action, resulting in the right way. That instruction covers all of the various circumstances that may arise. But there are differences in Bible versions. In the final analysis, it requires the guidance of the Spirit of God --- which has been made available.
Psalms 119:160 ASV --- The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he (it), the Spirit of truth, is come, he (it) will guide you into all truth: ---
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect (complete) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: