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Monday 20 March 2017

Unity Truth and Truthfulness

Do not sacrifice honesty for the sake of unity. A lie is a lie, whether you or I or the whole church tells it. The light of Jesus and life of God dispel lies but not necessarily with all people all at once so some have His light in them more than others. We who commit to this gradual dispelling of darkness are committing at the same time to a unity with each other as each is tied to the same Spirit of truth who brings this light. As with marriage, unity is based on commitment and covenant. We commit to God's covenant in Christ. This unites us. If any denominational position prevents repentance from lying this kills unity too because unity depends on keeping united with Christ and Christ commands first of all that followers stop lying (John 8, Ephesians 4-5). If a church forces attenders to lie you cannot attend it and stop lying too. Unity starts with The Door into which all must enter to be in Christ and united with the true Body of Christ.
I just missed a bus today because it was already pulling away and did not stop for me. Church leaders are mostly, probably like that bus driver who probably was not being mean but merely had to weight my need against the need of other passengers. That driver lost a customer because I walked and spent the money on a morning coffee. Churches cannot afford to lose members of Christ though. God wants nobody lost. So a leader cannot force one disciple to lie and stop them entering into life through Christ The Door just to please the rest of the congregation. If you force someone to affirm what they believe is false or do not believe is true then you force them to lie and hinder their unity with Christ for the sake of unity with you.