As we go through our daily lives, we often hear people throw around the term
"Unity in Diversity". The idea behind this is that everyone should
accept everyone else just as they are and not try to change them.
Used in the religious sense, one might hear, "We're all going to heaven,
we're just getting there by different roads". We see it in our schools, in
our television shows, and from our politicians. In their minds, anyone who would
presume to try to change someone else is arrogant and unloving.
Can those who claim to be followers of
Christ adhere to
"Unity in
Diversity"?
Can we all get to heaven by different
roads?
Absolutely not!
Jesus proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me". (John
14:6).
There is only one way for anyone to get to heaven and that is through Jesus
Christ. Those who follow anyone besides Christ will not make it to heaven.
This principle is true for all men everywhere and not just for those who live
in countries where "Christianity" is the major religion. The Bible
actually teaches the opposite of "Unity in Diversity".
It says that we
should try to get people to change their lives in order to get in line with what
God desires of them, "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew
28:19-20).
To do any less would be a disservice to them and to God. Many feel that it is
unloving to try to change someone. The very opposite is the case when it comes
to Christianity. Those who love God and their neighbor, will try to convert that
neighbor.
The Bible also teaches that we should all teach the same doctrine and be
united in spirit and in purpose, "Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor
1:10).
One of the major stumbling blocks for many people is the fact that there are
so many different groups of people who call themselves Christian and yet
teach different doctrine; all the while claiming "Unity in
diversity"! Jesus said that the world would believe that God had sent Him if His followers
were united (John
17:21).
Denominationalism is a sin because it teaches that
we
can all teach different doctrine and be ok.
When it comes to Christianity, the
truth is;
There is no Unity in
Diversity.
There is only Division in
Diversity.
If you would like to discuss the content of this article, please
send mail to GJCOC@onebox.com.
--
Ralph Price --
