Is Christ Divided?

Is Christ divided? No, He is not, and yet there’s been disunity in the Body of Christ for years -centuries even. The call to repentance has gone out numerous times. Some are heeding that call and are gathering with others with whom they once opposed. Crossing boundaries that should have never been in the first place. Will we as the Church finally get it right?
   Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (John 17:17-23).
   How do we get it right? One word seems to sum it all up: love. If we kept things that simple it would work. If we’re busy loving one another, we won’t have time to hurt each other. Notwithstanding, that kind of love entails submission to Holy Spirit on everyone’s part. We are exhorted in Ephesians to “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). The requirements for unity is found in the Fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-24). Our coming together as one requires a power greater than our own. If you have difficulty loving others, start with submission.
   1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
   Speaking the same thing involves agreement with God. Simply agreeing on doctrine does not necessarily mean true unity. It has to align with Him in order for it to be legitimate. What if we all agreed one thing, but it doesn’t agree with the Word of God, is it true unity? It wouldn’t be unified with Holy Spirit, so the answer is no. The Bible makes it clear there are doctrines of men and demons, but there is only one Doctrine of Christ. Not only that, we could say we have a consensus in order to unify; but more than likely, underneath it would still be a number of people in disagreement. They merely acquiesced for the sake of “keeping the peace.” They still differ in belief. The fissure remains. What would happen if we came together in love, and searched for the Truth as God intended? That would require humility. We would have to check our egos at the door; but then, if we’re crucified with Christ, ego shouldn’t be a thing. We do want The Truth, right? Surely, we’re not trying to build our own little kingdoms that rest on our private interpretation of the Bible, are we?
   Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
   It’s time to get it straight: there is only one Church. Generally speaking, congregations are comprised of the local population, which means there may be exclusions of different ethnicities. But that is the only reason for the exclusion. As disciples of Jesus Christ, this next statement should be obvious to all, but here it goes: we all descend from Adam and Eve, which means there’s only one race. Going further still: the term, born again found in John 3:3 means to be born from above. That changes our position in life.  Our citizenship is in Heaven, which eliminates borders (see Philippians 3:20). It’s time we all break bread together. There are no more social classes to keep us apart either.
   Colossians 3:8-17 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.   

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