Exhortation-Unity by What Standard?

There seems to be a movement these days to unify the church, even a movement within our own CREC and broader circles. This is good but we must make sure that we are unifying in the right way. What are the principles from which this unity is to arise? We have seen many men gather in the name of Christ only to ignore the words of Christ. How can this be? They have failed to listen to the revelation of Christ. We have in these Holy Scriptures the very will of God.

Many men aspire to obedience, but seek to get there on their own steam. We often hear men say things like, “God told me to do this or that thing.” It is assumed that there is no argument against such words. If God has told an individual His specific will for his life, then who are we to contradict? But what if God has told me something different? Then who is the arbiter of this disagreement? Is God so divided that He reveals a will that contradicts itself? This most certainly cannot be. Then how must we know what God is saying to us?

Q.What is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him? A. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

Many Christians, in the name of unity, have lost their backbone. We must stand upright as God’s soldiers and fight for the integrity of the Holy Scriptures. We are very prone to say or at least think, “Who’s to say?” when it comes to the folly that is being exhibited in the church today. But our God is not a God of folly. His Word is not compromised. We must commit to being faithful to what God reveals to us in His Holy Word. When we see the truth revealed to us in the Scriptures, we must turn from our own ways, our own understandings, our own feelings, repent of our own hard heartedness and seek to be obedient to His way, His understanding, His feelings, and His heart.

The Scriptures are our only ultimate and infallible guide to our doctrine and practical obedience as Christians. Personal feelings ought to be considered, appreciated and respected. But when they come into conflict to what God has already told us plainly in His Word, we ought to make no bones about stating that those feelings and personal opinions are mistaken. May God grant us boldness to do so. Let us hear the Word of God. Not just words that we nod assent to, but truth that guides us through the darkness of this world.