After announcing my intention to write a book entitled Wells Without Water, I have posted a number of articles that might be called the raw material for the book. Which is to say that most of them will need a major rewrite before I am satisfied that I have said what I want to say, in the way that I want to say it.

But perhaps you are asking what difference does it make if one group of Christians does things a little differently than another? Or understands the Scriptures a little differently than another? In many cases it doesn’t matter. There are differences from one culture to another, practices change over the years. But the truth of the gospel never changes. There are differences that don’t matter, and there are differences that matter a whole lot.

Two of the sayings of Jesus may at first appear contradictory. The first is found in Mark 9:38-40: “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” The second is in Matthew 12:30: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.»

Do you see the difference? Preaching the gospel is good, Christian works of charity and compassion are good. Jesus did not find fault when it was done by those outside his select group of disciples, and neither should we. But He did not have charitable words for those who scattered and divided the people of God. They were working against Jesus.

When we fully submit our lives and our wills to the lordship of Jesus Christ, He will lead us, by the gentle working of the Holy Spirit, into unity with those who are likewise submitted to His lordship.

But problems arise when someone gets hold of an idea that may be just a little bit different and tries to convince others that he has discovered a truth that has been hidden from other Christians. Among the many Christian groups in our world today, most may proclaim the unty of all believers, yet each holds to some unique belief or practice. This is a spirit of division. Many times the leaders probably started with good intentions, but ended up making themselves lord of the faith of their followers. Most often such leaders are not accountable to anyone.

The New Testament teaches that we must all submit to God, that no one has Scriptural authority to exercise lordship over the faith of another, that we are all accountable to one another. This is our protection agains divisive spirits and teachings.

Such teachings are wells without water. That seems to me the most important thing to share. I am not qualified to judge the motives or intentions of those who introduce such teachings, but I feel it is needful to show that they are not a source of living water for the thirsty soul. They do not lead to durable, peace, love and assurance. That is why it matters.

After announcing my intention to write a book entitled Wells Without Water, I have posted a number of articles that might be called the raw material for the book. Which is to say that most of them will need a major rewrite before I am satisfied that I have said what I want to say, in the way that I want to say it.

But perhaps you are asking what difference does it make if one group of Christians does things a little differently than another? Or understands the Scriptures a little differently than another? In many cases it doesn’t matter. There are differences from one culture to another, practices change over the years. But the truth of the gospel never changes. There are differences that don’t matter, and there are differences that matter a whole lot.

Two of the sayings of Jesus may at first appear contradictory. The first is found in Mark 9:38-40: “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” The second is in Matthew 12:30: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.»

Do you see the difference? Preaching the gospel is good, Christian works of charity and compassion are good. Jesus did not find fault when it was done by those outside his select group of disciples, and neither should we. But He did not have charitable words for those who scattered and divided the people of God. They were working against Jesus.

When we fully submit our lives and our wills to the lordship of Jesus Christ, He will lead us, by the gentle working of the Holy Spirit, into unity with those who are likewise submitted to His lordship.

But problems arise when someone gets hold of an idea that may be just a little bit different and tries to convince others that he has discovered a truth that has been hidden from other Christians. Among the many Christian groups in our world today, most may proclaim the unty of all believers, yet each holds to some unique belief or practice. This is a spirit of division. Many times the leaders probably started with good intentions, but ended up making themselves lord of the faith of their followers. Most often such leaders are not accountable to anyone.

The New Testament teaches that we must all submit to God, that no one has Scriptural authority to exercise lordship over the faith of another, that we are all accountable to one another. This is our protection agains divisive spirits and teachings.

Such teachings are wells without water. That seems to me the most important thing to share. I am not qualified to judge the motives or intentions of those who introduce such teachings, but I feel it is needful to show that they are not a source of living water for the thirsty soul. They do not lead to durable, peace, love and assurance. That is why it matters.