Winter 1986
What Price Unity?
Preston Snowman

Some very clear statements are made in Scripture about unity. That is, the kind of unity which conforms to the New Testament definition. Even as few as two or three believers UNITED together in the true faith are said to be able to secure anything that they shall ask.

Jesus enjoyed unity among His disciples as the most important single factor in their witness of Him to the world. Complete accord for a time among the early Church believers bears witness to this, by the manner in which they "turned the world upside down".

Unity even in rebellion against God seemed to pose a threat that called for drastic counter measures. "And the Lord said, Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they purpose to do will be withheld from them". Gen 11:6 NKJ.

Turning to nature, the illustrations of the power of unity are profuse. Even the atoms and molecules of matter must harmonize and unify together according to fixed law. But, the human body, apt illustration of the Church that it is, best sets forth the outworking of true unity.

And this unity, in a healthy body, is affected by submission, the submission of every part of the body to its head. But, it must be observed that the head alone, without joints, tendons, nerves or muscles, would be utterly helpless. So, submission to our head, Christ, means submission to the various "connective" ministries that He has set in His body, the Church, to carry out His directions.

To whom, then, shall we submit ourselves? The answer is clearly found in Heb 13:7 and in Eph 4:11-13 (NKJ). "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you..."; "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".

But, what about practical, modern Church conditions, with division, heresy, and apostasy found all too prevalent? Can we submit ourselves to just anything that alleges itself to be a ministry called of God? Has the Lord left any safeguards whereby we may protect ourselves from submitting to "wolves in sheep's clothing"; or even to under-shepherds who know not the voice of the Chief Shepherd for these times?

Indeed He has! A careful study of the following passages will convince sincere believers that they need not be deceived in any situation: Matthew 7:15-20; John 7:17; John 10:27; John 14:21-23; John 16:13; II THESS 2:10b; II Cor 11:4-33; II COR 12:14-19; Titus 1:16.

The Lord will certainly give direction as to whom and what we are to cooperate with, and submit ourselves to, if we will really hear His voice. A peculiar and wonderful thing about submission among a people sincerely dedicated to God's will is that it solves problems and produces answers that nothing else can. This is unity indeed.

The carnal mind, of course, foresees endless difficulties when the matter of unity through submission is presented. This is the "democratic" complex that fears the "violation of our conscience", or the "surrender of our individuality." But, let us bear in mind that submission among humble, dedicated men or women does not rule out counsel, exhortation, and even reproof of one another. These are all enjoined by the Word.

However, if we are always asked to either do or say the things "we have already decided that we want to do or say, anyway"; can that be called submission in the truest sense? Is it reasonable that God has required the Church to attempt the seemingly impossible, in His command that we all speak the same thing?

We can only conclude that God's ways are best, and that the price for true unity is Godly submission to one another after His order.

Preston Snowmam was a teacher at Pinecrest for many years, and is presently pastoring in Portland, Maine. He has published many books along the line of Christian unity and function. We encourage you to write to him for a list of available literature. Preston Snowman xxxxxxxxxx Street Portland, Maine xxxxx.