Why our unity movement failed?

[Howie26]

The new believer is really clueless and dependent upon those who are discipling him/her.

I don't think you give people enough credit here.  You cannot be clueless and accept the message of Jesus.  There are things you have to know in order to have faith and respond.

Also, is it possible that there are "believers" out there who know what the SCriptures say and deliberately twist it for their own use (2 peter 3:16)?  Is there ever a time when people are following false teachings that will lead to their condemnation (Matthew 7:21-23)?

I worry about a kind of unity that says, "Anything goes...as long as you're sincere."

[janine]

People need to figure out what they mean by "unity" and what they want to do with it once they define it.

[Sherman Nobles]

Well, thank God the Spirit shows up to do His part whether or not you realize He will.

Amen!

[Sherman Nobles]

The new believer is really clueless and dependent upon those who are discipling him/her.

I don't think you give people enough credit here.  You cannot be clueless and accept the message of Jesus.  There are things you have to know in order to have faith and respond.

Also, is it possible that there are "believers" out there who know what the SCriptures say and deliberately twist it for their own use (2 peter 3:16)?  Is there ever a time when people are following false teachings that will lead to their condemnation (Matthew 7:21-23)?

I worry about a kind of unity that says, "Anything goes...as long as you're sincere."

When the good news of God's love is preached, people receive Christ by faith in God's love.  Really the gospel can be summed up in Jn.3.16, the "Hope Diamond" of the scriptures as Max Lucado calls it. 

Of course there are false teachers out there that teach that Jesus is not The Christ the Son of the Living God.  And these people attempt to convince people of such evil.  So, "Anything goes...as long as you're sincere." is just not true.  Some people promote doing drugs and having spiritual experiences that way.  Of course, there is a lot of bad teaching and people leading others down paths of destruction.

But I believe the Gospel is really very simple and can be boiled down to "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life."  Jesus is the Gospel!

Concerning believers deliberately twisting scripture for their own purposes, I think we are all far more wicked and twisted than we realize.  We all are selfish and every thing we say and do is polluted by our selfishness.  And but for the grace of God, none of us would be saved!   I have been forgiven and recieved much grace; therfore I am quick to forgive others and walk in much grace towards them.  Truth is: I'm a mess and everyone I know is a mess!  The problem is: Sometimes I think others are a bigger mess than I am. 

[Howie26]

Sherman,

I appreciate that response, and it helps me to know that about you.  I have not been on this site for very long; just getting to know the thinking of some; and I love this format where anyone can say what he or she thinks.  I grew up in a church with an "our way or the highway" kind of leadership.  I reject that as radical-ism.  A healthy church environment is when people can express differing views and there still be the same level of love for each other.

I also reject another kind of radical-ism that implies it is wrong to correct people who have false views.  2 Tim. 3:16 tells us SCripture is for teaching us the right way to think and for correcting wrong thinking.  I think that if people have false views regarding matters such as baptism, we do them a disservice if we say, "That's okay that you think that; just as long as you believe in Jesus."  Really, I think it is genuine faith that compels us, once we've learned better, to change the way we think or act.  Now, how all that plays out in terms of unity, acceptance, etc., is truly a matter of wisdom, humility, and discernment.  And I welcome your prayers for me in this regard.

[Sherman Nobles]

Howie,

I appreciate your post and your passion to grow.  I been shown to be so radically wrong in many of my beliefs that I've come to trust in God all the more.  My trust is in Him to lead me into truth, and thankfully salvation is not dependent upon having all your doctrine correct, but upon faith in the finished work of Christ.  Also, salvation for me is not just a future hope, but it's a present reality with a future hope.  I am saved, acceptable to God, born of His Spirit, and seated with Christ in Heaven NOW, and I have a future hope of a greater realization of this present reality.   Salvation is the establishment of a very personal real relationship with the Lord.

Concerning correcting wrong thinking, absolutely we should be involved in discussing scripture and learning with and from eachother.  As you mentioned though, such has far more to do with our attitudes than it does with our knowledge or skill.  If we are humble, recognizing just how much of a mess we are, then we are open to what others share, even though it is radically different than what we've believed all of our lives.  However, the more pridiful we are, the more closed minded we are. 

We should be like the Bereans who 1, eagerly received the radical new information that Paul preached, and 2, were dilligent to study the scriptures to verify what he said was true.  Openness and Diligence - two keys to really growing in the Word.  And Openness requires both humility and faith. Humility - accurate assesment of one's own need of God. & Faith - both a faith in God to teach us and lead us into truth.  And an openness and/or trust in other people.  If we think everyone is wicked except us, then we are both prideful and deceived. 

Of course, opennes doesn't mean we are gullible; we need to have a healthy caution, but we don't need to be suspicious or fearful.  One of the assumptions that I have about myself is I assume that I am wrong in places, have errant doctrine, and need God to reveal the truth to me.  Thus I am quick to listen to what others say even though it's radically different than what I currently believe.  And even more so, I'm learning to listen for what i call, the Ring of Truth.  Truth has a "ring" to it. It reasonates deep inside your heart and has a power all on its own. 

Well, I'm just rambling.  I do pray that you and we all will be increasingly filled with God's Spirit and that we may come to an increased understanding of just how marvelous God's love and grace is towards us.

Blessings,
Sherman

[janine]

That thread title irks me every time I see it.

I don't think our unity movement has failed.  It's still in progress.

Did Jesus' movement, the one He started with teaching and healing and a great Passover meal in an upper room -- did that movement fail?  Why or why not?

[Sherman Nobles]

Yep, it aint over until the fat lady sings!   

[Johnb]

Perhaps there will be another "great awaking"  and a new unity movement that does finally work. But looking at the mass division in our movement I would say the fat lady sung.  Our unity movement has failed.  Later Johnb

[Brian Kelley]

I can share my own observations.  I don't know much about how the Church of Christ works.  I don't even know if we have one here in Augusta, GA.  However, I do know that most people around here regard the Church of Christ as just another minor denomination, and I've not heard anything different until I got to this site.  Not sure if that sheds any light on it or not, just some observations.

[peck]

In my opinion..We have faith as a unifing element..If our foundation is upon the rock that Jesus is the son of God...We are in a state of unity..

Religion is another thing...After we accept Jesus as Lord..It becomes a process...not faith..but an organization of our faith..

We all read the same verses but human weakness may cause variations of discernment..We don't agree with everyone's perception but we do agree with the words written on the pages of the bible..It's human effort to establish religion ...

But in my opinion,the rock that Jesus said he will build his church on, is not religion but faith in the work of God's son..then religion..The 1st century church was weak in religion but grace kept them safe ...but also grace taught them a better way...We can teach a better way to each other but to claim the kingdom of heaven for our own because we think we have the absolute truth is in bad taste..

Jesus remains the same and his work on earth is done..but religion is wishy washy...I was in a congregation that taught giving to orphans out of the church treasury was a sin..finally,I left because of religion(they do give an answer for their belief)..but in my opinion they organized their religion differently than myself...

But when I left,Jesus and his work stayed...and when I entered another  congregation.. Jesus and his work was there...Some folks rely on religion to save them after faith and gives them an excuse to put down the ministries of others...mainly brotherhood papers..

Just my thoughts and only what the bible means to me

God bless,Peck

[janine]

Hah, Brian, I'm sure your area in Georgia is crawling with folks connected to Restoration Movement churches. 

[Brian Kelley]

Hah, Brian, I'm sure your area in Georgia is crawling with folks connected to Restoration Movement churches. 

Could be.  I don't know the difference, to tell you the truth.  Most churches around here have "baptist" in their name, whether they're affiliated with any baptist denomination or not.

[spurly]

Just thought I would bump this to the top to get the discussion started on this new forum.  Did our unity movement fail?  Has the unity movement simply spread from us to the church at large?  Is unity still a noble goal?

[Imabear]

I don't know if this thread referring to unity among yourselves (CoC), or unity among the broader spectrum of Christians.
 
Unity is not the same as uniformity.  Diversity is a good thing. 
How would you feel if all the churches in your area had the same style service as the others?  (Maybe a style you don't "appreciate")
 
Some on these forums have referred to a reawakening in the Church.  This reawakening is not confined to individual groups (denominations).  Sure many will hold back, but God is moving in the hearts of those who are open to listening to His voice.  I see people from different backgrounds holding to slightly different doctrines working together to advance His kingdom... to be His hands and feet in their communities and around the world.  This is something we can all take part in.