Unity

This has been driving me crazy for a while now.

So many of us want unity in the body of Christ.  We need it.  And Ephesians 4:3 tells us to make ever effort to keep that unity.

So often, we let our own pet doctrines keep us from unity.  Also, when we limit God, we can be out of unity.

We have a tendency to do one of those two things.

I've heard so many people speak against pentecostals and charismatics, and unfortunately, they cause disunity in the body.  But likewise, having been in the charismatic movement for a while now, I've met some charismatics and pentecostals who are quite judgemental towards non-charismatics and non-pentecostals.  I've seen people criticizing others for not believing once-saved-always-saved, and then others criticizing those people for believing you can lose your salvation, both sides with scripture backing them.  I've seen both sides of the predestination argument judge eachother, and people on each side saying that the other side isn't really Christian, or they're saying they're Christian but they're wrong, and then they choose not to associate with the other. 

Since I'm in a culture of signs, wonders, and miracles here at Bethel, I've seen people criticize Bethel, but I've seen some (not all) at Bethel criticize those who don't agree. (and understand, these are just individuals, not the entire congregation at Bethel as a whole). 

First of all, I can understand that you believe you're right in certain areas.  However, what are you going to die for?  A doctrinal statement?  While doctrine is important (there are some doctrines that are absolutely essential), no one ever died for a doctrinal statement.  We need to realize that, while we are convinced we are right about our doctrines, that some doctrines are non-essential and we could be totally wrong, though we think we're right.  We need to want to be in relationship with other christians more than we want to be right.  So often in the body, however, we'd rather be right than be in relationship.

OK, signs, wonders, and miracles....most of the denominations I've seen don't have an official doctrine against it in their doctrinal statements.  Many of them just don't believe it's for today.  From my experience, I know it's for today, but I'm not going to judge people who don't believe it.  What I'm going to do is move in the supernatural anyway, and people will know that God still works supernaturally today.  If we close ourselves from thinking that signs, wonders, and miracles happen today, I think we limit God. 

So how do I keep the unity with those who don't believe that signs, wonders, and miracles are for today?  Well, first of all, I recognize that not all Christians agree with this, but I accept them as my brothers and sisters in Christ anyway.  I don't get in arguments about it, but when the opportunity is there for God to do something supernatural, I will take advantage of it and believe God will do it.  The main thing, though, is honor.  I think it's important that we honor others who are Christians, who have trusted in the blood of Jesus to cover their sins and that he is the only way to heaven, even if they don't agree with us on other doctrines.

When discussing people of other denominations, I try to handle it with respect and honor.  Sometimes, I fail miserably at this.  I grew up southern baptist myself.  I was saved in a baptist church.  I don't agree with every single doctrine that they preached (most of them I can agree with, though).  As far as I've seen, there's nothing in the official doctrinal statement of that denomination against God moving supernaturally as far as the gifts of tongues, healing, prophecy, etc go.  Most of them have come to the conclusion it doesn't happen today.   There was a time in Baptist churches, over a hundred years ago, where they were  more open to the supernatural, though.  But there are southern baptists that are very open to the supernatural, even today.  So I know that as far as signs and wonders go, this isn't limited to just any particular denomination. 

I think when a church moves in signs and wonders, if someone is speaking against what is going on, they are causing division.  That is a serious problem.  And I imagine someone who is a Christian who doesn't believe in signs and wonders would probably tell me that a) I'm not really a Christian or b) I'm the one causing division.  But the thing is, this is God doing it, and doing it through man.  If God doesn't want to move through that, I don't think he'll do it.  Yet he's made this available for us today. 

So I think, first of all, to make every effort to keep the unity, we need to honor eachother.  That is the main key.  And if that doesn't work, one side or the other is probably limiting God.  Really, we are all limiting God in some area, but I think you get what I'm saying.  The main reasons I see for the lack of unity is because of lack of honor for one another and limiting God.

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