Divisions

It is a shame that believers are divided over so many things when God’s Word discourages divisions in the church.  It seems like we have such a hard time agreeing with each other over doctrines and the way the church should be run and sometimes over people that are in charge of the church.  Sometimes it seems like people get their eyes on people and lose sight of the Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith and also the head of the church. 

The Corinthians had a problem with this but their problem was who they followed and Paul condemned this in the church.  You can read about this in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”

 It also says this in 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”  

In both of these situations people seemed to be more concerned about man than the One that really did the miracle in their lives and brought about the born-again experience in their lives.   There is a difference between having opposing viewpoints and being divisive.  We may not always agree on every issue but we need to agree on the things that are really important. 

Have you ever talked to somebody who seems to have their eyes and mind on somebody, like maybe a pastor, and that is mainly what they seem to talk about?  The pastor is an instrument that God uses to bring forth His Word.  If he loves God and speaks the truth, people may come to know the Lord through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Pastors, evangelists and teachers are very important but they must never take top priority in our lives.  We need to respect them but we need to keep our eyes and mind on Christ for without Him none of this could be possible. 

The Word says, talking about Jesus, in John 12:31-33, “‘Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” 

Christ is not divided and His true followers should not allow anything to divide them.  Jesus said you will know them by their love.  Unity and not division unites believers for the cause of Christ.  Even though we have our differences we can agree to disagree but not just be disagreeable.  Christ is the Head of the church and we need to put Him in the proper place which is number one. 

Something to think about!  May God bless you and yours and may you have a super day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!