Ever been to a family reunion?

One big family with a lot of weird cousins, a wise seminary professor said to us in my class. 

Little C catholic, what does that mean?

Denominations are the best we can do with what we have.

Known Fully, But Fully Know?

So what do we do when others have such different interpretations?

3 Ways For Healthy, Biblical Unity That Doesn’t Compromise

1. Be healthily dogmatic regarding the essentials

• Guard your doctrine closely 
• NOT PROUD

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself11 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ti 4:16.

• Be a student of the Word
• Rightly diving the word of truth

“Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NET‬‬

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.11 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ti 2:15.

NET teaching the truth accurately 

• Not all are teachers as mentioned, a call to all believers to sound doctrine in study.
• Seek to understand how other positions were formed.
• Ask good questions.

2. Commit to sound interpretation of Scripture (will be learning process).

3. Embrace global unity, seek local fellowship in your camp

Phil. 2:

“Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭NET‬‬

John 17:21

Why is unity hard? The flesh.

We need to be 1 Corinthians 13 Christians

Corinth not the example, exhortation is.

How? 

1. Acknowledge that we don’t know everything.
2. You may be wrong.
3. Call is to unite, not divide.
4. Don’t set your doctrines based upon division, but on Scripture. 
5. Don’t divide over tradition. 
   1. Even tradition can be a poor indicator of doctrine. If others have different traditions, it doesn’t mean bad theology. It can, but Scripture and sound teaching will show that.
6. Pray for the church to return to the Word

• Gospel centered preaching
• Evangelism founded upon election

            7. Determine to trust the Lord with disagreements and not take matters into our
                 own hands.
            8. Seek peace and pursue it.  (Psalm 34:14

We will continue to disagree, that’s what grace is for.

Let’s seek the Kingdom together.

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