Unity

"Is Christ. . . . divided into parts?" 1 Corinthians 1:13, AMP

Sadly, disagreements and divisions have characterized the church from the start. Some of the divisions were justifiable in that they occurred because believers were separating from false teachers, but most of the time the divisions were a result of pride or personal preferences.

The unity of the church is Jesus' plan as well as His pleasure. He takes joy in a church united; it is the answer to His prayer that we may be perfected in unity (John 17:23).

We don't make unity; that is a result of our common salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit baptizing us into the universal Church, but we are commanded to preserve the unity that the Spirit has wrought. "I. . . . urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-4, ESV

When I see what some believers are bickering over and I see a lost world on its way to hell, my heart sinks. In many cases it would be like firefighters answering a five-alarm fire at an apartment building fire and not moving forward to rescue people because they're arguing over whose uniform is the most authentic, which hose is the most efficient or where the water came from.

As important as a five-alarm fire is, the church has a call that is far more challenging. We've been called to bring the message of life to those who are going to die and go into eternity unprepared to meet God. Eternal souls are at stake.

In view of this, is your cause worth the fight? Is it worth taking time and energy and resources from the kingdom rescue work? Is it a matter of personal pride? Is it a matter of your preference?

Jesus is not divided; neither should be His followers.

I urge you to do what you can do—what you should do, to maintain the unity of Christ's church with the special wisdom that God will give you through His Holy Spirit.

Jesus says: "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9