Much is said these days regarding Christian unity. It really is a very appealing idea. And to be sure unity ought to be a very high priority among Christians. Yet it must be remembered that the objective is “Christian” unity.
One of the issues we face in these days is that the reality of Christianity has become so diminished through our ambitious and aggressive striving for unity. Christian unity cannot be had apart from true Christian doctrine. It seems to me that today it is being sought on the basis of shared values and emotions rather than the concrete foundation of doctrine. Under the banner of Christian unity today are groups that deny the deity of Christ, those who object to the absolute inspiration of Scripture, those who will not accept the necessity of sound godly behavior and many other things such as these that are essentials and markers of true Christian faith.
Just today I read of a brother that defended a Christian group on the basis of their doctrinal position while in their practice and operation they do not conform to their doctrine.
Unity is not an acceptable ideal apart from a firm and absolute commitment to truth.
