The night before Jesus died on the cross, he had a great many things on His mind and he prayed to God. John records his wish that His disciples “would all be one, just as you Father are in me, and I in you, that they may be one in us…” (John 17:20-21.) That is a dying wish of the Lord, but do people today recognize the sacredness of His request? This was our Savior’s dying request.
Jesus wanted his followers to be united, not divided. We all have to agree that God and Jesus speak the same thing and so should their followers. All saints of God must follow the example of Jesus and seek to do His Father’s will. Jesus wanted His followers to be “one.” He prayed for it, and he died for a unified church (Acts 20:28.)
Today’s Condition
Today, anyone with an honest heart must admit that Christianity is nothing like Jesus wanted when he prayed. Just drive down the Main Street of any town and notice the many different religious groups. The simple fact is that the religious world is in a state of confusion and division. Every group has its own “brand” of salvation, worship plan, and organizational chart. In “Christianity” today there are those that stress faith, others stress works, some works because of faith, and unfortunately some do not stress anything at all.
One Body
Read Ephesians 4:4-6 very carefully. Notice there is “one God” and “one Lord.” Remember the Lord’s prayer in John 17? God was in Christ and Christ was in God. They were in complete unity. This fact has not changed over the centuries. But, Paul also said there was “one faith” and “one body” (the church—Ephesians 1:22-23.) If God and Christ are in complete unity today, why are we not followers of the Lord? Why are there so many different belief systems? Why so many different church names? Doesn’t it make sense to recognize that something has gone wrong with religion today? It is not God’s fault. He gave us His Word so we may have the “one faith.” Man is the one who has made the religious world a confusing place.
Follow the Leader
Read the text of I Corinthians 1:10-12. Notice that the Corinthian church was breaking off into different groups. They were following the leader instead of Jesus. Paul tells them to “speak the same thing—let there be no divisions among you.” Can it be said today that there are no divisions among God’s people? Our problem is that we want to be loyal to our “brand” of Christianity rather than being loyal to Jesus Christ and His Word. God hates division!
A Biblical Example
God’s word is the answer to today’s religious confusion. If you are asking, “what must I do to be saved?” The answer can be found in God’s Word — the Bible.
John 3:16—God’s love provided a sacrifice
Ephesians 2:5—salvation is God’s gift
James 1:21-22—Do what the Word says
Matthew 17:5—God said “Hear Jesus”
Romans 10:9—Believe in Jesus
Luke 24:46-47—Repentance is required
Romans 10:10—Confession of our faith
Mark 16:16—Jesus said baptism is required
If a verse mentions salvation, doesn’t it make sense to follow God’s directions? It is no more difficult than that. As you read these scriptures you will also see that there is a difference between working apart from God and doing God’s work. We strive to do God’s work. Do you now see the simplicity of God’s Word?
THE ANSWER
The Bible is the Word of God and is the answer to religious division. It says what it says and settles every religious question. Man should not add his own “brand” of salvation, worship plan, or organizational chart to God’s Plan. Don’t you agree?
It takes courage to step away from creeds and organizations, but there must be a standard to follow in religion if we are to fulfill the Savior’s dying wish “to be one.” John 17:17
Reprinted from brochure written by :
Wayde Miller, Evangelist
a member of the congregation
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