Unity in Diversity???

Church of Christ site GahannaJeffersonChurchOfChrist.org links to an online bible

New Site at TheGJCOC.com!

Back Up Next

Home   Salvation   Our Mission   Sermon Central   Guest Book   Search This Site   Contact Us

 

This Page Has Moved!

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 --

New Site at GJCOC.us!

P.O. Box 307408, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 • Meeting at 7816 Havens Road, Blacklick, Ohio

Copyright © Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ, Some Rights Reserved

10/05/2012