The Ecumenical Movement - Unity or Truth?

     In my previous post, I talked about the fact that Jesus brings division because He is the truth, and the truth divides. There is a big push in the world today and in the church for unity, because people believe that unity will bring peace, and most people want peace, but this brings us to an important question: Can we have unity without compromising the truth?

     The ecumenical movement today is trying to bring all religions together in unity. This movement sounds like a great idea except for two big problems. The first problem is that in order to come together, each religion must compromise its beliefs. If you believe, as I do, that there is only one way to God, and that is through belief in Jesus, then any compromise of that belief jeopardizes ones eternal soul. The scriptures warn Christians not to be yoked with unbelievers because it leads to compromise and apostasy. II Cor. 6:14-18

     The second problem with ecumenism is that this one world religion of peace and unity that people envision will prepare the way for the antichrist, the one who will pretend to be the true Christ. In Revelation, chapter 13, we read that ultimately all will have to worship him or be killed. The ecumenical movement is laying a foundation for that ultimate one world religion. Many will be deceived and sucked into it willingly because it will look so good and sound so right. II Thess 2:1-12  Remember that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. II Cor. 11:14  The antichrist will appear to be the ultimate humanitarian. He will promise peace and safety for all, but the scriptures warn, "While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." I Thess. 5:3

      We can't have it both ways. We can't expect unity with the world or those outside the Christian faith if we are going to uphold the truth. The only unity Christians can have on this earth is with other true believers in Jesus Christ who are walking in the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

     Jesus tells His disciples, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19