©2002 Charles Darby
United We Stand; Divided We Fall.
Each church, each denomination, thinks they are “The Church”. When you ask many about salvation, the answer will go something like this: I am “Baptist”, “Methodist”, “Catholic”, “Church of God”, “Pentecostal”, “Assembly of God”, “Charismatic”, etc. Many will say I am of some well-known preacher or teacher. Some believe and teach we should go to church on Saturday instead of Sunday.
Many believe we should speak in unknown tongues, some believe we should not. Some believe we should pay tithes while others don't. Some believe we should be sprinkled while others believe we should be dunked in water. Some believe we should be quiet in church, while others believe it's not church if there isn't shouting and dancing in the aisles.
I heard of two churches in the country on opposite sides of a corner. In the summer the windows would be open and each could hear the other sing. One would sing “Will there be any stars in my crown”: while on the other corner they would sing “No not one”.
What is the point I am making? Glad you asked! The church is divided into many factions. Is it any wonder we are having problems getting people saved? What does the scripture say about this?
1 Cor 1:12 Now
this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos;
and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1 Cor 1:13
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the
name of Paul?
Mat 12:25 And
Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city
or house divided against itself shall not stand:
All such division is fleshly and carnal-minded.
Those with this attitude cannot please God. (Romans
8:8).
1 Cor 3:2 I
have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able
to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Cor 3:3 For
ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife,
and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1 Cor 3:4 For
while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not
carnal?
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not advocating we should unite with everybody. If it's not Christ-Centered it's not of God. We dare not unite with any that leave Christ out.
What I am saying is I believe, based on
over thirty years of Bible study and prayer, we should be like Paul said
in
1 Cor 2:2 "For
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.”
If it doesn't start and finish with Christ
it's not “The Gospel”.
Everything we believe, do, teach, and live should be a witness unto Jesus Christ. Most of the things mentioned above are good, many necessary, but if these don't draw us closer to our Lord and cause us to walk in love toward all, what benefit are they?
Christ is not divided; He is one body. So should the church be one in Christ. There are not many bodies, only one. There are not many vines there is only one True Vine. Either we are in Him or we are not. If we are in Him we should be of one mind and one accord. That is, if we will grow up and stop being carnal-minded. Being carnal-minded would bring death and not life. Only Christ can bring life.
I ask you, “What are you a witness of, is it Christ or your denomination?" Could it be some church doctrine or Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Every gift we have is for one purpose: to be a witness unto Jesus Christ. What we do should be to bring glory and honor to our Lord.
For instructions on being
Born
Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.
