It is instructive to mark the varied lines of truth presented in the New Testament, all finding their common center in that blessed One who is the truth. We see this both in the gospels and in the epistles. Each of the four evangelists, under the direct guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, gives us a distinct view of Christ; each one has his own specific line. No two are alike, but all agree; there is diversity and unity. Matthew does not interfere with Mark, nor Mark with Luke, nor Luke with John. There is no collision, because each moves in his own proper orbit, and all revolve round the one grand center.
So also is it in the epistles. Paul’s line of things is as distinct from Peter’s, as Peter’s is from John’s, or John’s from James’. There is no collision, because, like the four evangelists, each moves in his own appointed orbit, and all revolve round the one common center. The orbit is distinct, but the center is one.
One Spirit – Various Instruments
It would be folly on our part to institute any invidious comparison between those varied lines of truth or the instruments by whom those lines are presented to us. This we should at once denounce as sinful folly, not to be tolerated for a moment. The varied instruments are all employed by one and the self-same inspiring Spirit, for the one grand object of presenting the varied moral glories of Christ. Each is needful in his place. We should be doing serious damage to our own souls, as well as marring the integrity of divine revelation, if we were to confine ourselves to any one particular line of truth, or attach ourselves exclusively to any one particular instrument.
The early Corinthians fell into this grave error, and thus called forth a sharp rebuke from the blessed Apostle Paul. Some were of Paul; some of Apollos, some of Cephas; some of Christ. All were wrong, and those who said they were of Christ were quite as wrong as any of the others. They were carnal and walked as men. It was a grievous folly to be puffed up for one against another, inasmuch as they were all Christ’s servants, and all belonged to the whole church.
Nor is it otherwise now in the church of God. There are varied kinds of workmen and varied lines of truth, and it is our happy privilege and duty to recognize and rejoice in them all. “All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:21-2321Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Corinthians 3:21‑23)). This is the true and the divine way to look at the matter. This too is the way to avoid sects, parties and cliques in the church of God. There is one body, one Head, one Spirit, one divine and perfect revelation — the Holy Scriptures. There are many members, many gifts, many lines of truth, many distinct characters of ministry. We need them all, and therefore God has given them all.
All the Truth
What must be the effect of going in for any one particular line of truth or character of ministry? It will only produce an imperfect Christian character. We are all sadly prone to one-sidedness, and nothing more ministers to this evil than an inordinate attachment to some particular branch of truth, to the exclusion of other branches that are equally important. It is by “the truth” we are sanctified, not by some truth.
Here lies the grand principle. God has various instruments for His work, and we should value them all as His instruments, and nothing more. It has ever been Satan’s object to lead the Lord’s people to set up heads of schools, leaders of parties, and centers of cliques, thus splitting up the church of God into sects and destroying its visible unity. Let us not be ignorant of his devices, but in every possible way endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace” (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3) JND).
Near the Center
How is this great object to be attained? By keeping near the Center — by abiding in Christ — by habitual occupation with Himself — by drinking deeply into His Spirit and walking in His footsteps — by sitting at His feet, in true brokenness of spirit and humility of mind — by thorough consecration to His service, the furtherance of His cause, the promotion of His glory, the prosperity and blessing of every beloved member of His body.
Thus shall we be delivered from strife and contention, from the discussion of profitless questions and baseless theories, from partiality and prejudice. We shall be able to see and appreciate all the varied lines of truth converging upon the one divine Center, the varied rays of light emanating from the one eternal Source. We shall rejoice in the great fact that, in all the ways and works of God, in every department of nature and grace, in things on earth and things in heaven, in time and eternity, it is not a dull uniformity but a delightful variety. In a word, God’s universal and eternal principle is “diversity and unity.”
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted)