Speak The Same Thing

Speak The Same Thing

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1Cor.1:10)

How can we do this? Man would tell us this is impossible. Ask a group of people to agree to doing something one way and you'll have many variations and ideas. However, when we agree to adhere to the same standard, the word of God, then we can do exactly what this verse says. God even tells us how to do this, observe:

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let  him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1Pet.4:11)

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There  is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all...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 of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Eph.4:1-6,11-16)

But some might say there are multiple ways to reach heaven. Why so many differing beliefs and ways mentioned out there? Why doesn't everyone agree and teach the standard of the Lord, directly as His word says? Consider what Jesus says:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt.7:13-14)

But, some might say God won't condemn people if they're living a good life, regardless of their religion...

Jesus says,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt.7:15-23)

But, some may say, we need man to interpret the Bible for us, everyone has a different understanding of it... ok, one question to that idea.

Did Jesus pray this to God in vain?

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (Jn.17:20-23)

Can we all speak and believe the same thing? I think we can see and say that, from these verses, God not only thinks we can, but He commands it. How are we to do it? Have scripture to back up the practice in which you engage, without doing harm to the word. Many may be able to produce scripture, but watch out for their explanation -- don't let someone twist God's word (2Pet.3:10-18). God's word is complete and it does not contradict itself (2Tim.3:16-17; 2Pet.1:2-4) - if something doesn't seem to add up or is perceived as a contradiction, then it's our understanding that needs clarification, not God's Divine revealed word.

We need to investigate our beliefs with the intent to conform our beliefs to His word rather than His word to confirm what we already believe and practice. Don't we see the flawed reasoning in that approach of trying to prove ourselves right rather than submitting to His word? We can show proof for what we do, give others an answer for the hope within us (1Pet.3:15), but we don't ever want to come at God's word with our minds already made up and try to make God’s word say something it doesn't say. We look at God's word, look at our lives, and then compare if both agree. It's that simple.

God is the Creator, we the created. God has the authority to tell us how to live, will we not listen to our Creator? So many walk by their own foolish and flawed "wisdom" rather than appealing and submitting to God -- friend, don't be one of them.

This is an open invitation to open God's word and study. Any subject, any belief, any time. Some may see that as a daunting task, but I'm confident that God's word has the answer to any question, objection, challenge, or belief that man may raise. I most certainly don't have all the answers, nor do I claim that my way is better; however, I believe God's word does have all the answers and His way is the only way. My goal is not to tell you what I think. I just want to be the facilitator -- we'll ask the question, then we'll go find God's answer to that question, that's it. If my life and my beliefs are out of step after investigating all God has to say on a matter, then I'll repent and change my life. I have no personal agenda, just to be right with God and go to heaven and help as many as I can to do the same. We have to agree on one thing though, that God has the answer and that our role is to obey it.

Leave a comment here if you want to study, or send me a private message. Let's open God's road map to heaven and make sure we're all speaking the same thing. God says we are to do that. I believe we all can, can we work together to that end?