Unity among Believers is sweet. God is one and God wants His people to be united. Consider the following verses:

“10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – 1 Cor. 1:10

“1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Eph. 4:1-3

“1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” – Phil. 2:1-3

“20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” – John 17:20,21

What are some things that would divide God’s Church? Anything that is not faith is divisive. Paul said, “17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another,“, Gal. 5:17. When Christians like the Galatians or Corinthians start thinking and acting according to the flesh, it is divisive, 1 Cor. 3:1. For example, a haughty and proud spirit is not faith. Such a spirit is the works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19ff) and is completely contrary to what is found among God’s people. Take note that the divisive spirit is counted among sins like sexual immorality, idolatry, and sorcery, Gal. 5:19,20. Such people are dangerous to Church unity. Disobedience to God is not faith. Resisting God’s commands is rebellion and by definition places the person at odds with God and His people. Adding to or taking from God’s word is not faith. Sectarianism and divisive spirit is not faith. Anything that is not faith in God and in the things of God is fleshly idolatry. Authorizing what God did not authorize is speaking with presumptuous spirit and it is divisive. Being friends with the world while claiming to follow Christ is divided and necessarily divisive. The closer we cling to God and walk with Him, the closer we will all be to one another.

Categories: division