How do we go about the business of uniting our divided, fragmented religious world?  We know that Jesus prayed to the Father asking for such unity (John 17:20,21), but just how do we bring it about?

Should we ignore our faith-based differences, disregard our conflicting doctrines, and simply agree to disagree?  As appealing as this approach might seem, it simply will not work.  While it could result in some semblance of disjointed union, true unity would be impossible.  Genuine unity depends upon fundamental agreement, as Amos suggested in his inspired question, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

Perhaps we could all unite upon some common creed or manual.  But who has the influence or the authority to devise such a document?  And doesn’t the Bible teach, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death?”  (Proverbs 14:12.)  Even if it were possible for all of us to agree upon one common, human creed, we would find it full of mistakes and in constant need of revision.  Garbage in, garbage out comes to mind.

This leaves us with but one possible alternative.  We determine to throw off all party names, discard all party platforms, reject all humanly devised doctrines and unite upon the Word of God alone.

As the very body Christ, as His church, we make and bind no laws; we leave that to the Lord and His inspired message of truth.  From the earliest days of the church.  Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.”  (Acts 2:42.)

Simple?  Yes.  But then, that may well be why the scriptural plan has always and continues to be very unpopular.