The next three Bible lessons will be done following the truth that the Bible must be applied in order for people to live the type of life God intends for all men and women. It is expected by the writer that not all who read the lessons will be receptive to the truth. However, that is the nature of the truth. Those who read and hear the gospel may reject it at their own peril.

The Bible in Isaiah Chapter 57 tells us that there will be no peace for the wicked. Beginning in verse 19 God tells Isaiah of his work: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Those who were afar off we now know is a reference to the Gentiles who didn’t have the law and those near are the Jews who were God’s chosen to bring Jesus into the world. But no matter who comprised the wicked, whether Jew or Gentile, they would not find peace. The truth that no one wants to admit is that peace will never come to this world until Jesus is recognized as Lord, and that includes the Jews who have rejected him.

A writer of a letter to a southern newspaper wrote: “Unity comes from the majority accepting an idea.” That can be both good and bad depending on the type of idea bringing unity. Paul in Ephesians 4:1 wrote to Christians, giving to them the pattern for unity and peace through accepting the gospel (idea) and the teaching of Christ: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who brought the truth and the bond of peace is Jesus Christ given by God who is the ruler of the universe. Unity came when the people agreed on Christ and obeyed the gospel.

Cries throughout the world are for peace and yet it doesn’t occur. Many things are tried and nothing is working. A country music singer did a commercial for diversity with words, “In diversity is our strength.” Again, if the vocal group tries to unify with diversity which is their rallying cry, it won’t work. The reason is simple to find. Diversity means dissimilarity, difference, and varied. But diversity is acceptable if those who are diverse and different don’t try to push their beliefs onto others.

Many diverse people founded this nation and came from all over the world as immigrants, but most of the early arrivals had one thing in common; they believed in God and followed Jesus Christ. The Bible contained their guide for living right in the new land in the sight of God. They well understood the meaning of Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. The founders and the early immigrants knew that God, good intentions, and behavior brought blessings, and bad behavior brought undesirable consequences.

Peace can only come with unity and not diversity wherein all beliefs are held to be equal. We can see that such an idea is ridiculous when the Constitution of the United States is examined. The document promotes unity so that all people can rally to a set system of governance that allows for equal treatment of all citizens. Due to the nature of capricious men, that hasn’t always occurred, but it isn‘t the fault of the document and the ideal provisions contained therein any more than it is the fault of God, his Son, and believers because people won’t follow his way of life and/or misuse it for selfish purposes.

© 10-25-2007 DEC

                     Next Lesson No Peace Without Unity Part I I