To some, the purpose of restoration is to unite all who claim Christ. In the first century, groups who claimed Christ included the Judaizing “Circumcision Party” (Titus 1:10), the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6), false apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2), and early forms of Gnosticism (1 Timothy 6:20). There was no ecumenical movement to combine all these groups. Rather, the New Testament’s unity is for those “in Christ.” “We, though many, are one body in Christ” (Romans 12:5 cf. Galatians 3:28). Christ creates this unity by adding those He saves to the same body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14). Since there is but one Lord with one body, our part is to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3-6).
If you want to meet an ideal group or a perfect movement, remember Jesus’ parables. The kingdom of heaven is like a field of good plants where an enemy sows weeds (Matthew 13:24-30). The kingdom is like a net that gathers fish of every kind (Matthew 13:47-49). Only “at the end of the age” will the good be separated from the bad. In the meantime, weeds make the garden of God look overgrown. Bad fish stink. These are the contradictions with which we live. Yet we press forward for unity and order, just as Paul did with the problem-plagued congregation at Corinth. When that church began to divide, the apostle wrote,
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. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
“IS IT POSSIBLE TO AGREE?”
Is it possible to agree, to unite in the same mind? Yes, as we die to ourselves and mature in “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 cf. Philippians 2:5; Romans 15:5).
● Pray as He prayed.
● Serve as He served.
● Love as He loves.
● Think as He thinks.
● Speak as He speaks.
As we submit, individually and as a family, the Lord’s Spirit restores in us the beauty and wholeness of His image (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:13, 29). Within ourselves, we are far from perfect, but He equips us to grow…
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4:13-15)