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By Neal Griffin
Of the three hundred plus denominated religious organizations in the United States there are at least three hundred distinguishing differences among them. It would be tiring to list them, especially since there are so many within each major denomination. Within the Baptist denomination, for example, there are the Southern Baptists, the Bible Baptists, the Hard Shell Baptists, the Independent Baptists, and the Primitive Baptists, to name a few. Similar examples can be drawn for all of the major denominations. It is reported that there are twelve distinctly different Churches of Christ, all of which are exclusive, and all of which claim to be the one true church of the New Testament. So when you consider the numerous differences within only the major denominations, it is easy to understand how there can be at least three hundred.
God is not the author of confusion, as you know, so we can accurately rule out at least two hundred ninety-nine of them as not being the true church. And, since God never assigned a proper noun name to His called out people, we can safely rule out the remaining one. The New Testament does not record the name of a single, God approved, denominated religious organization.
If men could allow one another to be different there would be no need for denominated religious organizations. If it were not for brethren wishing to distinguish themselves from other brethren there would have been no schisms at Corinth. If men were content to promote only Christ and Him crucified there would be no need for denominated religious organizations of any kind. If men did not have inordinate needs to be exclusive there would be no schisms at all. If men did not have inordinate desires to hold positions of authority there would be no religious hierarchies. There would be no need for massive cathedrals, since God dwells not in temples made with hands. His dwelling place is in the hearts of born again Christians. In the name of religion billions are spent annually on the construction and maintenance of infrequently used cathedrals. None of this extravagant waste would exist if men could allow their brethren to be different.
Being distinguishable from other brethren was not an important issue to the first Christians. The only distinction made between congregations was in reference to location. This is definitely not the case with today's religionists. We can imagine the differences that must have existed between the Gentile converts and the Jewish Christians. They were worlds apart in attitudes, traditions, and customs, yet they made no attempt to segregate themselves. In the sole example, where Jews tried to force their traditions on the Gentiles, they were overruled. But today we see, among the denominated religious organizations, provision made for "white only" brethren, for "one cup only" brethren, "no instrument" brethren, and "no Bible classes" brethren. These schisms represent tears in the precious body of Jesus. These schisms are glaring testimonials to the fact that Satan has a divisive foothold in the hearts of many "would-be" Christians.
Distinguishing differences are expected in the human family. Even between identical twins there are distinguishing differences both in their D.N.A. profiles and in their fingerprints. There are sometimes great differences between family members but this does not cause them to quit being in the family. No one ever presumes to disallow a family member simply because he is different, and neither should anyone presume to disallow a member of God's Spiritual family because he is different. God allows His children, in both creations, to be different, in a like manner, we should not allow our love for brethren to be hindered by differences in matters not related to salvation by grace thru faith.
The crux of it all is that divisive men have focused on their distinguishing differences and exalted their conclusions, in such secondary matters, to the point where they have created rifts in the body. They have built exclusive parties around their conclusions. This is heresy. It elevates men's conclusions to Gospel status. Truly, when men teach for doctrine the commandments of men, they put themselves in God's position, and God will tolerate no competition. Dear reader, you can see the dangerous implication in this. All such parties will be brought down, and all divisive participants in those parties "shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven". Read if for yourself in Galatians 5:19-21. This presents a very gloomy picture for today's hodgepodge of denominated religious organizations. But, is there any hope?
There is a grand conclusion around which we can all rally. There is one great truth that can unite us all. There is one supreme pattern that is perfect. That grand conclusion is that Jesus is the Son of God. That great truth is that He died to cleanse us of our sins, and that supreme pattern is the Person of Jesus the Christ. He is the manifestation of the love of God, and therein lies the solution to the problem of distinguishing differences between brethren and their resulting heresies. We must love one another more than we love our distinguishing differences.
Brethren, I call on us all, in the name of Jesus, to put aside our petty squabbles. I call on every divisive one of us to let our love for Jesus and for one another outweigh our regard for our distinguishing differences in matters not related to the faith. I call on us to repent of our divisive stances on the, so-called, "issues" which have pitted brother against brother, and shown to the doubting world that we do no love one another. I call on us to allow one another to have different opinions and conclusions without stirring up strife and division. I call on all of the divisive pulpiteers who fan the fires of division to stop it. Stop it now! I call on my brethren to stop parading their party banners, to allow Jesus to be our only banner, to let Him be our focus and pattern. I call on us all, in the precious name of Jesus, to let the love of God reign in our hearts, to accept one another as Christ accepted us without regard for individual differences, to the glory of God, and so preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Please consider these thoughts. I believe them to be in keeping with the Word.
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