In these times of financial crises, rampant immorality, and natural disasters, should not all the religions come together and unite and worship God asking for his protection and blessings?
Dear Reader,
My dear friends, it is indeed a very good thing for all the religions to come together, put away their differences and unite and worship God. The Bible itself does call for unity. But the unity the Bible calls for is first and foremost unity with God under God’s terms. Only when we are united to God can we unite with our fellowman. Here is what we read in Isaiah: (Isa 1:18, 19 KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. And again we read: (Isa 45:22 KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
In these passages we read that God is calling all mankind to find their unity in Him. It is only He that can bring the required unity humanity needs; therefore, if we humans are wanting to unite in order to worship God in light of the tremendous events taking place today, then it must be on God’s terms, not man’s. For churches to put away their differences would mean that some churches must give up pushing the homosexual movement; others must accept homosexuality as normal and approved by God. Other churches would have to give up going to church on Sabbath (Saturday); others must give up going to church on Sunday.
If all churches give up their differences then whom shall we follow? What is to be the standard of righteousness and worship? If we say the Bible, then what about those churches that do not put absolute trust in the Bible such as the Catholic church, the Mormons, the Jews, the Muslims? Unity, then, must not cause us to give up our unique beliefs, but must allow us to believe according to our conscience. No one should force his religious beliefs upon another. However, everyone should be free to share his beliefs with the other with respect and kindness. This should be his right. At no time should we resort to force and the sword as do Muslims and Hindus; and as did the Catholic church during the Middle Ages; and as did the Protestants in the New World.
The command that Jesus gave to his followers is found in the Gospels and reads as follows: (Mat 28:19, 20 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Jesus gives His followers a command to go and make disciples of all men. And this command no man can nor should abolish, not even governments. Other religions have this right to evangelize; but in no way must they resort to force and the sword in this age, as we have said above.
So while unity is very desirable it must be on God’s terms. And where are we to find God’s terms? For Christians it must be the Bible; other religions can use their own holy books. God will make Himself know to the world through the teachings of those that are right. He will reveal Himself to all who want to know Him. And when He does do so we must follow Him or reject Him. To reject the call of God is to reject God Himself, with the consequences that go with it. Here are the words of Jesus: (John 8:31, 32 KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
So my friends, unity and freedom can only be found in God and none else. And for the Christian, all information about God is to be found in the Bible. Of course there is information about God found in many books, and in the books of other religions. However, the most succinct revelation of God is found in the Bible; and this books is the revelation par excellence of God to humanity. And I do not say this boastfully for even Christians who have this revelation are very poor and unfit communicators of this wonderful revelation. May God continue to lead us into all truth as we look to Him. God bless.
Pastor Ron is a retired Adventist pastor. Reach him at ron.hende@gmail.com.