There is no doubt that the religious world is in a mess. There are literally hundreds of churches, many times located right next to each, so far as their physical buildings are concerned, and all claiming to believe in the same Lord, follow the same Bible, and yet teaching and practicing different things. Most denominations think that this is a great thing, allowing people to join the church of their choice, but to the world it is confusing, and it turns people away from what they call “organized religions.”
That the world scoffs at all of the division that is seen religiously, should not surprise us. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one so that the world would believe in Him.
John 17:20–21 (ESV)
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
If unity among the disciples of Christ will cause others to believe in Jesus, what, logically speaking, will disunity do? Obviously, it would cause disbelief. It is sad to see that so many people do not believe in Jesus, not because of what the Bible actually teaches, but because of the false teachings of men found in denominational churches.
How can all this chaos and confusion ever be fixed? The sad truth is that it is not likely that it ever will be. I do know, however, one way it can be fixed, even if it is only on a small scale—we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Someone might wonder how all can possibly come to the unity of the Spirit. There is just one way—by following the teachings of the Spirit alone. Those teachings are found in the Bible.
Sound churches of Christ, do not just believe in the Bible, we believe in the Bible alone so far as spiritual instruction is concerned. The Bible is the only way that He reveals His will to us today. There is no latter day revelation. God is no longer speaking to us through living prophets or apostles. He speaks to us through His written Word alone.
Most denominational churches will quickly say that the Bible is a rule of faith, but they will not say that it is the only rule of faith. This opens the door for division. So-called latter day revelations send man into different directions religiously. Creeds written by men lead to division. It is only when we rely on the teachings of the Spirit as revealed in the Bible that we can do away with division and begin speaking the same things. This is what Paul begged the saints at Corinth to do.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Most churches today do not feel the way Paul did. Instead of pleading for unity, they exhaust their energy attempting to convince people that doctrine does not matter, as long as we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Is this true? Can we get away with teaching doctrine that is not found in the Bible just as long as we believe in Jesus? John did not seem to think so.
2 John 1:9 (ESV)
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Perhaps the chaos will never cease in the religious world, primarily because most will not trust in the Bible alone. However, for those reading this who are not members of the Brown Street church of Christ, we can promise you this—we will never preach from a denominational creed. Furthermore, we will never claim that God has spoken to us apart from the Word, and we will always teach and preach the Bible as our only rule of faith. This is the only right course of action, and it is the only way we can truly come to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.