Basis of Unity & Salvation
Consider this from Martyn Lloyd-Jones when referencing Ephesians 6:10-20 specifically the "belt of truth":
The modern attitude in the Church herself is almost the exact opposite of this exhortation. The Apostle says that if the Church is to function as a body, and if you are to function successfully as an individual Christian, the first thing you have to do is to put this ‘truth’ about your loins so that it may bind and band you together and set you on your feet and energize you. But the modern attitude in the Church with its international congresses, its ‘weeks of prayer for Christian unity’, or its ‘octaves’ of prayer is far astray from the apostolic plan. It places its whole emphasis upon some general spirit rather than upon particular principles—a general spirit or attitude of friendship and of love and of worshipping together. That of course, in and of itself, is an excellent thing. We should love one another; there should be a ‘unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’. But the whole question is how to arrive at it. You cannot ‘put on’ a vague spirit. But according to the Apostle there is a piece of armour which you can take hold of, can take up and can put on. Yet at the present time we are told that the hope for the Church and the hope for the individual lies in some vague general spirit of fellowship.
This statement deserves worthy consideration from us in at least two areas:
1. Denominations: In an era where denominations are declining and doctrine is minimized, this is a sharp rebuke to consider the necessity of truth and especially doctrine. It is not entirely truthful to simply say that "doctrine divides" as Paul in Ephesians is stressing also that "doctrine unites." Everyone has doctrine, but the question is how much thought and energy has been put into it? Surely we are to consider the whole counsel of God and we are to strive to understand which doctrines are of first importance and which are of secondary and tertiary importance responding with appropriate convictions.
2. Excuses: A common excuse used to reject Christianity and especially the church is often the hypocrisy of its members. Consider that the foundation of Christianity is not its adherents but Jesus Christ. Examine the life of Christ and search for they hypocrisy of Christ. You will find none. What does this mean? It means that when we stand before God in our day of judgment, we will not be reckoned based on what what we have done only what we have done with Jesus or rather what do you believe about Jesus and how have you responded to him? To tell people that it does not matter what they believe as long as they live a good life ushers them on their way to hell.
There is good news in this. Christianity it not just for "good" people but actually just for "bad" people who place their faith in a perfect person. Judge christianity not primarily on the basis of "truth-livers" but on the basis of the "truth-giver."
Give that some thought!
