Expectant Prayers ®

There have been a few "buzz words" resonating with my spirit, which I want to share with you.  I believe that the Lord has been saying to watch for them, expect them, and do not be swayed by them.  Why?  Because every Christian needs to know what's in store for the Church and things aren't always wrapped in obvious packaging.  Remember, there is a thread of truth that runs throughout most false ideas!  We need to watch and guard ourselves.

**** If you missed my first three buzz words, you might want to go back a few blogs and read; Consensus, Emerging, and Paradigm.

  UNITY

Unity is the quality or state of being made one, oneness, a condition of harmony.  Can't you just hear it now -  "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...."

Unity and the forthcoming ideas being perpetuated by the world today are radiating into every walk of  life.  We clearly see this in government, religious institutions, educational systems, banks... you name it.    This is definitely an end time buzz word because the push for one world unity plays a big role in the :

One World Government ruled by a One World Leader with One World Religion and a One World Monetary System. 

Let's use America as an example when discussing this topic.   Our country is supposed to be unified under the laws of the Constitution (which were based upon Biblical law, morals, and standards).   We have common goals, ideologies, and purpose- or at least we should, which almost always goes back to the firm foundation of the Constitution.  But even more so than our Constitution, its preamble - as well as the preambles of most State Constitutions - testify to the real unifying force... GOD.    Our Pledge of Allegiance even states that we are "One Nation Under God".  Most judicial buildings around the nation still display the Ten Commandments (again, a good basis for most of the laws we uphold today).  Our founding fathers even saw fit that our money would be inscribed with "In God We Trust" to remind us that we do not serve mammon.   The tallest monument in Washington D.C. is the Washington Monument.  On the top a stone points to heaven and is inscribed, "Laos Deo", translated as Praise Be to God!

But, what we see unfolding today is the removing of the truly unifying force in our nation and substituting Him with counterfeit glue. 

Having unity means that there is something that unifies. 
For the Christian, we know that the only true source of unity is God.    John 1:2-4 tells us, "The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men."

Romans 11:36 says, "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him."  1 Corinthians 8:6

Romans 15:5-6 says, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

So the question is, if God is not the unifying force behind what is going on in the world today... who or what is?  The answer will come in the days ahead as the one world leader emerges and trusted religious voices begin to move the church toward unity.  The government will unify the people by creating bigger government with bigger programs to help the people - taking our basic responsibilities  and rights out of our hands and into theirs!  There will be unity because there will be no other option.  You will either be with them or against them... and if you're against them - you're OUT!

Ultimately we also understand the true author of this manufactured unity - none other than the devil himself!

Unity Sounds Good, But There's a Problem
The problem with unity is that it is often confused with negotiation, or simply finding common ground to join together with those of vast differences.   Please realize that unity suggests more than just getting along.  It suggests a union, a contract, a binding together.  That's more than just putting aside petty differences in order to work together.  The buzz today in the Church especially rings true, "Let's agree to disagree so we can have unity."   Don't forget that unity usually has an agenda - which more times than not does not have your best interest at heart.

Oftentimes, when we seek unity, some of the parties involved are having to give up things that should not be given in exchange.  At what cost does unity come?  Do we give up our positions on morals, Biblical doctrine, or standards?  Matthew 16:26 asks us, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"   Reword this and you could ask, "What good would it be for a man (or the Church) if he gains unity, yet forfeits his soul?  You have to ask yourself who or what is the common purpose or goal that is fueling the drive. 

What would you be willing to exchange for unity?  What are you willing to bind with or make a covenant with today in order to simply have unity? 

Think of marriage vows.  Would you be willing to make a commitment to whatever it is unity propagates with that kind of devotion and loyalty?    Putting it in those terms really makes you stop and think!   Are you really "in love" with the ideals of unity?  True unity calls for love.  Colossians 3:14-15 says, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."   This verse brings us full circle, back to God.  The Word tells us God is love and without God/love we do not have unity!

BRINGING IT HOME:

Unity just for unity's sake is not enough in this day and time when so many are called to compromise in order to meet its demands.   It's a deceiver.   This is even true in the Church today and forms one of the greatest dangers.  We see the push for ecumenical fellowship.  Although this is needed in some forms, this is also a great danger when we develop an "anything goes" thinking.  Matthew 7:21 tells us, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."   Luke 13:26-28 says, "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out."

They will even use the Word of God to try to pull everyone together.  "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. "  Ephesians 4:12-13    Although unity in our churches is a much needed element, it is dangerous to seek unity through our own efforts in order to bring together the Church of God.  They seek a noble goal (unity) yet leave out the very unifying force, however... Christ.  It is not US who takes on the responsibility of unifying, but rather CHRIST.  It's a work of His Spirit, not the work of man.

Because people hear a thread of truth, but do not know enough about the meat of the Word, many will fall prey to unity's trap.

Learn the tricks of "UNITY" thinking: 



The push for unity is simply poison wrapped up to look like candy.  As Christians, we should not be leery of true unity which comes from God, but rather unity (along with its terms and purpose) as orchestrated by man.