2 Co 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
What is ecumenism?
Ecumenism is the search for the visible unity of the Church and the concern for the whole world as God's creation. The Bible describes the Church as one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and calls Christians to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). However, some forms of ecumenism may compromise the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, and promote a universalist view that denies the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6)2.
For the professing Church the day of theological controversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word on every tongue. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the Church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differences and emphasizing those doctrines on which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines of Scripture are neither denied nor affirmed; they are ignored. But little matter, for the objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the Church is “strong” and commands the world’s respect.
Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among evangelical believers too. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures the truths they believe and proclaim. Theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objective but too often convictions are compromised and the truth watered down by such undertakings, with the result that the Spirit’s power is sacrificed for numerical strength.
No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before the Word and Will of God. Nor can the Church ever be truly united and strong unless she puts God’s Word and Will first and takes her place in the world as Christ’s embassy on alien territory (See II Cor. 5:20).
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam / The Berean Bible Society
For further reading: Is Ecumenism Biblical ?
Very true of the world we live in today........God is love, all is shouting but we forget that He is also a consuming fire! A Holy and Sovereign God! Serve NO others gods before Me! He said.