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 Unity
Through Restoration
By Colly Caldwell
"Unity through restoration" is a phrase which Christians have used
to describe agreement to share spiritual relationship and activity
based upon mutual understanding and acceptance of truth as taught in
the Scriptures. "Restoration" is a word we have adopted to signify
the recovery of first century faith and practice in later centuries.
We unashamedly believe that the faith and practice of Christians in
the first century, when recorded in the New Testament with Divine
approval, forms the pattern for God's people until Christ returns (1
Cor. 4:6; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 1 Tim. 4:6; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2;
3:10,14; Tit. 1:9; 2 Jn. 9-11).
"Unity in diversity," on the
other hand, is a phrase which has been used to identify agreement to
share spiritual relationship and activity while disagreeing on what
the Bible teaches about mutually shared items of faith and practice.
The phrase often describes denominational acceptance of totally
divergent and even contradictory positions considered significant
enough to separate people into different "fellowships" or
denominations. Baptists and Methodists, for example, consider one
another Christians and share some activities (such as Easter sunrise
services). They recognize that their faith and practice are
sufficiently different to keep them from being together, yet they
claim to be united. The phrase has also been used to call for the
uniting of those who hold differing views in "Christian churches"
and "churches of Christ." For example, advocates of "unity in
diversity" want those who believe in using mechanical instruments of
music in worship to join with those who do not, working and
worshiping together in spite of their differences.
I have
been asked to discuss which of these two approaches is biblical when
we confront questions concerning divorce and remarriage.
Unequivocally, I affirm that biblical unity on any question about
which God has spoken must be based upon what God says. It cannot be
based upon man's reasoning (Jer. 10:23). Amos rhetorically asked,
"Can two walk together unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3) "Walking
together" indicates mutual, shared activity. If I am involved in an
activity with another, I must agree, at least in that activity, or
violate conscience by participation. In spiritual matters the basis
of agreement must be the Word of God (Matt. 15:8-9).
Jesus
prayed that all Christians "may be one" in God and in Christ just as
he had prayed that those who were with him should be one (Jn.
17:20-21). How were the apostles one? The answer is in his prayer:
"You gave them to Me and they have kept Your word" (v. 6); "They
have known that all things which You have given Me are from You" (v.
7); "I have given to them the words which You have given Me and they
have received them" (v. 8); "keep though Your name those whom You
have given Me, that they may be one as We are" (v. 11); "While I was
with them in the world, I kept them in Your name" (v. 12); "I have
given them Your word" (v. 14); "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your
word is truth" (v. 17); "for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that
they also may be sanctified by the truth" (v. 19). There is no
question that Jesus taught unity upon compliance with the word of
God.
One asks, however, "But what about divorce and
remarriage?" Two very direct references settle that in my mind.
First, when answering questions about divorce and remarriage, Jesus
asked, "Have you not read. . . ?" (Matt. 19:4) Jesus called for a
"restoration" of the will of God in their practice by leading them
back to the Word. He expected them to read, draw proper conclusions,
and then apply God's word to their questions. Second, when the
disunited Corinthians needed answers to their questions concerning
husbands and wives, they knew to go to God's word. They wrote Paul
who was a messenger for Christ. Paul responded with the commands and
counsel of the Lord (1 Cor. 7:1-40). He did not call for unity on
grounds other than "that you all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (cf. 1 Cor.
1:10). Some might say, "But Paul gave his own judgment in some of
his statements on marriage in 1 Corinthians 7." A careful reading of
the text will clearly show that where Paul expresses his judgment it
is either apostolic judgment guided by the Holy Spirit (vv. 25,40)
and/or an admonition to follow a safe course in matters left to
human decision (vv. 26-28). In either case, "serving the Lord
without distraction" is primary (v. 36). The overriding concern of
the chapter is: What does God say for us to do?
We must
acknowledge at this point some biblical guidelines which are
essential to "unity through restoration" and which are most helpful
in applying this great principle to issues related to divorce and
remarriage:
First, Christians make decisions about fellowship
or unity in keeping with the following clear instruction: (a) we
must preach and defend the Truth as revealed by God in the New
Testament (2 Tim. 4:1-5); (b) we must not teach error or sin (Gal.
1:6-10); (c) we must not practice anything we believe to be sin (1
Tim. 5:22; Matt. 15:1-14); (d) we must not condone or support error
or sin in others (2 Jn. 9-11; 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2:12-29); (e) we must
not be hindered from accomplishing all which God expects of us
(Matt. 7:21,24-27; Jas. 4:17; 2 Cor. 8:7; 13:7-11).
Second,
some issues can be decided by appeal to Scripture. In these, intense
study and reflection upon God's Word is often required. We must be
uncompromising where God has spoken but we must also be patient,
kind and loving (Eph. 4:13; Col. 3:12-17) with those still in the
process of learning. We are all still studying some subjects. Some
other issues are not answered in Scripture and still others call for
human judgment. To agree to remain united when we disagree on
matters of opinion or human judgment is a separate matter and is not
properly within the scope of what has traditionally been referred to
as "unity in diversity." Let us not confuse terminology and thus
open doors to error.
Third, all decisions on unity must be
decided personally or congregationally, not nationally or by some
individual Christian or association of Christians for all other
Christians. We are not bound to a human creed or human consortium.
We appeal solely to Christ as our Head. We must never forget what we
teach concerning: (a) the imperative responsibility of each
Christian to act from his/her own open investigation of the Word of
God; and (b) the autonomy of local congregations to act independent
of outside oversight or intimidation. We should allow the Lord to
decide whether we are united spiritually with those outside the
sphere of our activity or influence. Generally, I am united with all
whom God accepts and I am pleased to share spiritual relationship
with anyone who is in good standing with the Lord. Specifically,
fellowship is at issue when I meet a situation in which my life,
responsibility, or influence is engaged and I must make a decision
regarding what or with whom I will share active relationship. May
God bless us with a spirit of wisdom and understanding that we may
meet our grave responsibilities in this area of our spirituality! —-
Colly Caldwell Guardian of Truth , January 1992 ~
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Living Life the Hard Way
by David King
“Good understanding gains favor, but the way of
the unfaithful is hard” (Prov. 13:15).
The goal of every
human being is happiness. But few ever find that happiness. Many
culprits get blamed for that failure, but in most cases, the reason
is sin. We violate God’s law, and pay the price for our decision.
The irony here is that we ignore God’s way because it’s too much
trouble, but the “easy” path we choose ends up costing us much more.
Whether we realize it or not, we have chosen to live life the
hard way. Sin is the ultimate con artist. It offers glittering
promises of pleasure; but only after we take the bait do we realize
we’ve been had.
Oh, there may be an initial spasm of
excitement, but the fun is only temporary. The pleasure is soon
replaced with pain, as the real harvest comes in: health problems,
broken relationships, financial ruin, emotional trauma. In the end,
we learn to our everlasting regret that we chose poorly. The way of
the unfaithful is, in fact, quite hard.
Even after we realize
we have made a mistake, we often compound the problem by trying to
avoid the consequences of our error. Some folks, for example, try to
mask the first sin with other sins (look at King David’s clumsy
attempts to cover his sin with Bathsheba). Others look to science or
legal maneuvering to lessen sin’s impact (think of the gay lobby’s
efforts to legitimize their immoral lifestyle). Others simply
redefine the sin as something other than sin, thereby perpetuating
the notion that there is really no problem (alcoholism, gossip,
pride). Ultimately, none of these denial strategies will accomplish
what the sinner is looking for. In fact, in many cases, these
strategies only make matters worse. Satan will not be cheated.
The best way to avoid the consequences of sin is obvious: quit
sinning. Notice in our text that “the way of the unfaithful” is
contrasted with “good understanding.” The first step in living right
is to develop a healthy understanding of how God wants us to live.
This is not a matter of merely memorizing Scripture. Rather, it is
opening our eyes to recognize the cause-and-effect principles that
govern this world in which we live.
Bible study is a good
start, but also study the mistakes and successes of others. Try to
understand the immutable connections between behaviors and outcomes,
and live so as to achieve the best outcomes, rather than being
guided by the whims of the
moment.
Admittedly, in some
cases the consequences of sin cannot be removed. Some sins in our
past leave scars that will never go away, and we’ll have to live
with them the rest of our lives. But at least we can stop adding to
the pain, and perhaps even lessen it.
Of course, the best
course of action is to not sin in the first place. Resolve at an
early age to serve God with all your heart, mind, and body, and
learn the self-discipline necessary to make that commitment stick.
It will require some sacrifices, and there will likely still be some
rough patches. But in the end you will find the happiness that you
seek. ~
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