Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
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: Ephesians 4:13
In order to achieve unity, there must be separation.
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. II John 6-11.
The doctrine of Christ unites and it divides. True unity among the brethren is found in the foundational truths of Scripture. The fundamental doctrines (teachings) of Scripture or the load bearing walls of Christianity must not be compromised. If they are compromised, the foundations become sand and the structure red tagged. Religious people will continue to live in the red tagged building. Believers who try the spirits will leave obediently and join themselves to those who honor the word of God through the teaching and preaching of the Bible. Unity among believers is based upon the sound doctrinal teachings of the Scripture.
Some say that all religions worship the same god. Jesus Christ said very plainly; I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6). Can a Christian deny the words of Christ?
Some say that Christians can pray for intercession to various individuals and confess their sins to earthly ministers. The Scripture states very plainly; For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus; (I Timothy 2:5). With whom do you agree?
The professing church declares that if anyone says a person can be saved by faith alone without works; let him be accursed. The Scripture says: For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8&9). Is the professing church pronouncing a curse on the author of Scripture?
Whenever a church places tradition or doctrinal error in a position equal to or above the Scriptures in authority, it is time to divide. In order to achieve unity, there must be an adherence to truth and a separation from error or false doctrine.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133:1
…….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly……
My comments are in response to those of “Redaccion”seen below. Please read Redaccion’s comment first.
We do not do good works to be spiritual. Christians produce good works because we are spiritual. Good works do not produce spirituality. Good works are the result of spirituality. In other words, good works that result from our relationship with God through Christ are evidence or fruit of that relationship. These good works are not manufactured
evidence. They are produced out of our union with Christ. Ephesians 2:10 states that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We are saved and sanctified only by the merit of Jesus Christ.
You reference “He that committeth sin”….”committeth” is present tense, continuous action. He that “practices” sin is a better choice. If our life is characterized by disobedience to the clear commands of Scripture then we have no evidence of belonging to Him and we are indeed the servants of sin.
The Scripture does not teach sinless perfection. The
Bible also states that if any man says he has no sin, he is a liar and the truth is not in him. The apostle Paul struggled with sin as well (see Romans 6 & 7).
Shall we continue in sin – may it never be! Who shall deliver us? Jesus Christ!
Christians have indwelling sin until we step into glory, hence the battle, the need for the full armor daily; however thankfully, we are not only being saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin on a daily basis, and one day we will be saved from the very presence of sin.
Why does one do good works? What is our motive for doing good works? Are we compelled to good works by the Holy Spirit in response to the preaching of the word or is our motive to manufacture enough evidence to show we are something other than what we really are?
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. See Genesis 15:6 & Romans 4.
Thank you for your comment.
Brilliant catechesis! The quotes are also pretty good evidence against the justification by faith alone” doctrines of the Protestants. It seems that they are all too happy to ignore such powerful scriptures relating to the necessity of bearing good fruit, carrying the cross, and living as free as possible from the slavery of sin” in this world; such as Jesus taught when He said: “how sayest thou: you shall be free? Jesus answered them: Amen, amen I say unto you: that whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. Now the servant abideth not in the house for ever; but the son abideth for ever. If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:33)